bethink
Americanverb (used with object)
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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)
verb
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to cause (oneself) to consider or meditate
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to remind (oneself)
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have bethoughtperfect
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has bethoughtperfect 3rd person singular
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are bethinkingprogressive
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has been bethinkingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is bethinkingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been bethinkingperfect progressive
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am bethinkingprogressive 1st person singular
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bethinkssingular 3rd person
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bethinkingparticiple
Past
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had bethoughtperfect
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was bethinkingprogressive singular
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had been bethinkingperfect progressive
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were bethinkingprogressive plural
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bethoughtparticiple
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bethoughtsimple
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.
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
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
He is resolv'd to woo thee whatever thence betide; So now betimes bethink thee; he'll ne'er renounce his bride.
From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown
Never give up! or the burden may sink you, Providence kindly has mingled the cup; And in all trials and troubles, bethink you, The watchword of life must be, Never give up!
From Kenneth McAlpine A Tale of Mountain, Moorland and Sea by Stables, Gordon
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.
