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

The carpet which bespread His rich pavilion's floor.

From Project Gutenberg

Bespread, be-spred′, v.t. to spread over: to cover:—pr.p. bespread′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. bespread′.

From Project Gutenberg

Better than life, better than sea and morn, And all the sun-stained fragments of the day— Ah! more than breeze, than purple clouds that stray Across dim twilights—I, the tempest-torn, Fighting the stars for glory, who must scorn Heart-drops bespread along love’s cruel way Like scattered petals on the breast of May— Better than life I love you, I forlorn.

From Project Gutenberg

The greater part of my way lay near the sea shore, which was bespread with the wrecks of vessels.

From Project Gutenberg

Ismet, a man of medium build, hard, clad in a tight uniform bespread with medals, seemed last week to retain unaltered the Prussian severity which he acquired some 20 years ago as a cadet at Potsdam.

From Time Magazine Archive