bespread

American  

[bih-spred] / bɪˈsprɛd /

verb (used with object)

bespread, bespreading

1. to spread over (a surface); cover (usually followed bywith ).

   a table bespread with fine linens.

---

bespread British  

/ bɪˈsprɛd /

verb

1. (tr) to cover (a surface) with something

---

Etymology

Origin of bespread

First recorded in 1350–1400, bespread is from the Middle English word bespreden. See be-, spread

Example Sentences

When I came to myself I strengthened my heart, and entering found myself in a chamber bespread with saffron and blazing with light....

From The Fortieth Door by Bradley, Mary Hastings

Rushing out of their house, they saw the heavens bespread with an awful pall of smoke, the under-side of which was glowing with the reflected fires of some vast furnace.

From The Cruise of the Cachalot Round the World After Sperm Whales by Bullen, Frank T.

For Æneas forth is led The choicest, with a tawny lion's hide, All glittering with gilded claws, bespread.

From The Æneid of Virgil Translated into English Verse by E. Fairfax Taylor by Taylor, Edward Fairfax

Then renewed strength will come to thy limbs, then shall undreamed-of might enter thy sinews, and an accumulation of stout force shall bespread and nerve thy frame through-out.

From The Danish History, Books I-IX by Saxo, Grammaticus

The old man brought him into one of the parlours, which was variegated with many-coloured marbles, the ceiling thereof being decorated with ultramarine and glowing gold; and the floor bespread with silken carpets.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 06 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir