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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bestead

In sooth I deem him of celestial race; Fear argues souls degenerate and base; But he—how oft by danger sore bestead, What warlike exploits did his lips retrace.

From The Æneid of Virgil Translated into English Verse by E. Fairfax Taylor by Edward Fairfax Taylor

Then let’s be merry in our God and King, That made us merry, being ill bestead.

From A Life of William Shakespeare with portraits and facsimiles by Sir Sidney Lee

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 U. Waldo Cutler

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

From Accolon of Gaul with Other Poems by Madison Julius Cawein

And he called to mind that great saying of Goll mac Morna when they were once sore bestead by a mighty host.

From Myths & Legends of the Celtic Race by T. W. (Thomas William) Rolleston

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