bestead

¹ American  

[bih-sted] / bɪˈstɛd /

verb (used with object)

besteaded, besteaded, bestead, besteading

1. to help; assist; serve; avail.

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bestead ² American  

[bih-sted] / bɪˈstɛd /

adjective

1. Archaic. placed or situated, often unfavorably or in difficulty.

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Etymology

Origin of bestead¹

First recorded in 1575–85; be- + stead

Origin of bestead²

1300–50; Middle English bisted, bistad, equivalent to bi be- + sted, variant of stad placed < Old Norse staddr, past participle of stethja to place, derivative of stathr place

Example Sentences

And then they all three left Sir Kay, for it was he who was so hard bestead, and turned unto Sir Launcelot.

From Stories of King Arthur and His Knights Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur" by Cutler, U. Waldo

Downy pillow take thy head, Silken coverlet bestead, Sunshine help thy sleeping!

From Heads and Tales : or, Anecdotes and Stories of Quadrupeds and Other Beasts, Chiefly Connected with Incidents in the Histories of More or Less Distinguished Men. by White, Adam

I’m so bestead I’ve sewed that patch in wrong side up.

From Jessica, the Heiress by Raymond, Evelyn

"But aren't you getting on well?" asked their little sister, sorely bestead to make the conversation pleasant to them.

From Trading by Warner, Susan

Though sore bestead lies Ontzlake, and he could, Right fain were he to save his livelihood.

From Accolon of Gaul with Other Poems by Cawein, Madison Julius