bethink
Americanverb (used with object)
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bethinks,
present (3rd person singular)
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bethought,
past participle, past
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bethinking
present participle
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to think; consider (used reflexively).
He bethought himself a moment.
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to remind (oneself ).
to bethink oneself of family obligations.
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to remember; recall (used reflexively).
She lives in the past now, bethinking herself of happier days.
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to determine; resolve.
Under the circumstances I could not otherwise bethink me.
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Archaic. to bear in mind; remember.
verb (used without object)
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bethinks,
present (3rd person singular)
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bethought,
past participle, past
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bethinking
present participle
verb
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to cause (oneself) to consider or meditate
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to remind (oneself)
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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bethinksimple
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bethinkssimple
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have bethoughtperfect
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has bethoughtperfect
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am bethinkingprogressive
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are bethinkingprogressive
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is bethinkingprogressive
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have been bethinkingperfect progressive
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has been bethinkingperfect progressive
Past
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bethoughtsimple
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had bethoughtperfect
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was bethinkingprogressive
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were bethinkingprogressive
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had been bethinkingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of bethink
before 1000; Middle English bethenken, Old English bethencan. See be-, think 1
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.
See Examples For:
But the head of the French department did not bethink himself in time to procure a bust of Ronsard to be duly "crowned," during the ceremony.
From Time Magazine Archive
When a New Englander needs an image for swarming bees he may not bethink him of showered stars, yet sparks from a Fourth of July pinwheel are quite as effective and wholly permissible.
From Time Magazine Archive
Yet many readers will bethink themselves of many Cynthias and wonder if it is too late, or just timely, to pass the book along.
From Time Magazine Archive
If you have worked evil, you must bethink yourself of doing good.
From Human, All-Too-Human, Part II by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
The problem, be it frankly confessed, is a mighty and a difficult one, but let each man bethink him, that there is no victory, no redemption without storm and strife.
Then the doctor bethinks himself of ultraviolet rays.
From Time Magazine Archive
In this finale the despairing Lionel bethinks him of his ring.
From The Standard Operas (12th edition) Their Plots, Their Music, and Their Composers by George P. (George Putnam) Upton
The performer announces that he is about to cut them all up, but before commencing to do so bethinks himself of his own good handkerchief which he removes and places in his pocket.
From Peerless Prestidigitation Being a collection of entirely new ideas and effects in the fascinating art of modern magic by Herbert de Caston
Mr. Pennock, who has danced the previous galop with her, sees the leader raising his baton, bethinks him of his next partner, and leaves her at the open window close to the dressing-room door.
From Starlight Ranch and Other Stories of Army Life on the Frontier by Charles King
The father, if he be a sensible man, naturally bethinks him that, if his boy can do so creditable a thing, worthy of praise, so might he himself.
From Thrift by Samuel Smiles
In his Discourse on Inequality, he lamented "the first man who, having enclosed a piece of ground, bethought himself of saying, 'This is mine,' and found people simple enough to believe him."
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2017
After these practical matters had been attended to, Cleve bethought himself of form, and sent a telegram offering the fish to the Queen.
From Time Magazine Archive
But the Kuomintang high command had bethought itself; the Gimo had sent assurances that he stood for open competition.
From Time Magazine Archive
Prince George, mistaking the crowd for a normal one, sat up with his usual cheery smile, soon bethought him of his top, put it on without anyone's having mentioned it to him.
From Time Magazine Archive
“Now. All night, I lay and I bethought myself—how to leave so I won’t be forgot? And behold.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
“Bless me!” exclaimed Mr. Webster suddenly bethinking himself of his duties.
From Jane Lends A Hand by Shirley Watkins
Ben, bethinking himself of the drinking cup that was part of the auto’s equipment, filled it with water from a nearby spring, and under these attentions the ladies somewhat recovered from their terrifying experience.
From Bert Wilson at the Wheel by J. W. Duffield
Avoiding word-painting and description, like the born poet he is, he begins by calling up for comparison visions of other fanes or palaces of enchantment, and then, bethinking himself of Milton’s cry to Lycidas,
From Life of John Keats His Life and Poetry, his Friends, Critics and After-fame by Sidney Colvin
"Oh, that was merely a side-issue,--only an after-piece," said Frau von Leskjewitsch, bethinking herself.
From Erlach Court by Ossip Schubin
And I, bethinking me that, in spite of his gloomy forecast, Lord Bolingbroke would none the less serve the King with unremitting vigour, began to take heart again, and so pardoned Leonard Ashlock.
From Lawrence Clavering by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
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