definitions

bestead

1
[ bih-sted ]
/ bɪˈstɛd /
|

verb (used with object), be·stead·ed, be·stead·ed or be·stead, be·stead·ing.

to help; assist; serve; avail.

Nearby words

best-ball foursome, best-ball match, best-case, best-efforts selling, best-laid plans go astray, the, bestead, bestest, besti, bestial, bestiality, bestialize

Origin of bestead

1
First recorded in 1575–85; be- + stead

Definition for bestead (2 of 2)

bestead

2
[ bih-sted ]
/ bɪˈstɛd /

adjective

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

Origin of bestead

2
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bestead

  • Oh, sure never was a poor maid so bestead with blind men—well, fetch thy beechnuts.

    Standish of Standish|Jane G. Austin