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.
By what magic is it that the cry of Odysseus, wounded and hard bestead in his retreat before the Trojans, comes over us like the three blasts of the horn of Roland?
From Epic and Romance Essays on Medieval Literature by W. P. Ker
The Vallombrosan monk, who thus bestead the Viceroy at his need, was, as Varchi records, rewarded by the bishopric of Muro, in the kingdom of Naples, which, adds the historian, "he still holds."
From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 09 by Rossiter Johnson
"But aren't you getting on well?" asked their little sister, sorely bestead to make the conversation pleasant to them.
From Trading by Susan Warner
Who is now hard bestead, but the lady?
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 355, May 1845 by Various
And for he was far and fremd bestead Yslain he should have be.
From Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse by Various
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
