bespread

American  

[bih-spred] / bɪˈsprɛd /

verb (used with object)

bespread, bespreading

1. to spread over (a surface); cover (usually followed bywith ).

   a table bespread with fine linens.

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bespread British  

/ bɪˈsprɛd /

verb

1. (tr) to cover (a surface) with something

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Etymology

Origin of bespread

First recorded in 1350–1400, bespread is from the Middle English word bespreden. See be-, spread

Example Sentences

All this sudden extinction of light in the gay Ca’ Bembo, where I saw the silks bespread before your knowledge and my ignorance!

From The Brownings Their Life and Art by Whiting, Lilian

They had first met at my own rich cake and jam-puff bespread tea-table.

From The Red Planet by Locke, William John

An' the groun' wi' the sticks wer bespread, Zome a-cut off alive, an' zome dead.

From Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect by Barnes, William

I could wish, that after my trees haue fully possessed the soile of mine Orchard, that euery seuen yeeres at least, the soile were bespread with dung halfe a foot thicke at least.

From A New Orchard And Garden or, The best way for planting, grafting, and to make any ground good, for a rich Orchard: Particularly in the North and generally for the whole kingdome of England by Lawson, William, fl. 1618

The thatch was all bespread   With climbing passion-flowers; They were wet, and glistened with raindrops, shed   That day in genial showers.

From Poems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume I. by Ingelow, Jean