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definitions

bestead

1
[bih-sted]
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verb (used with object), be·stead·ed, be·stead·ed or be·stead, be·stead·ing.

to help; assist; serve; avail.

Origin of bestead

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

bestead

2
[bih-sted]

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

Historical Examples of bestead

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

    Standish of Standish

    Jane G. Austin

Word Origin and History for bestead
v.

"to help, support, prop," 1580s, from be- + stead (v.); see stead.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper