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

Sir Gernot," said Rudeger ill bestead, "That you were safe in Rhineland, and I with honor dead!

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown

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 Rolleston, T. W. (Thomas William)

Around you call your merry men all    To whom you’ve given bread; For refuge we to the Kirk will flee    Since we are thus bestead.

From Little Engel a ballad with a series of epigrams from the Persian by Borrow, George Henry

"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

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