bestead
1 Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Where is the queen?" quoth Launcelot, "For I am sore bestead," "Have not such haste," said Dame Brisen, "The queen is now in bed."
From Songs and Satires by Masters, Edgar Lee
How little you bestead Or fill the fixéd mind with all your toys!
From The Golden Treasury Selected from the Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in the English Language and arranged with Notes by Various
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
Full straight art thou bestead Among these foemen fell: Such sorrow for to see.
From "Everyman," with other interludes, including eight miracle plays by Rhys, Ernest
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)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
