bewit en · VERB · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
- /bɪˈwɪt/
Etymology
From Middle English biwitten, biwiten, biwitien, from Old English bewitan, bewītan, bewitian (“to look over, watch over, take charge of, have charge or direction of, superintend, preside, govern, administer”), equivalent to be- + wit.
Meanings
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(transitive) To bequeath.
Al my other goodes afore not bewitted, my dettes paide, and my legacy fulfilled, I gyve and witto to my sones Roberte Bulmer and John Bulmer, whome I make my executors.
1527, James Raine, John William Clay, Testamenta eboracensia, published 1902:"[...] as Queen Anne espied, who was then thought to be with child, she for anger and disdain miscarried, as she said, bewitting the king with it, who willed her to pardon him, and he would not displease her in that kind thereafter".
1953, Philip Lindsay, The secret of Henry the Eighth:I bewit to everye preiste at Saincte Egidie chapell viij d., beside dutyes of churche, to saye Mimrere Pmlvie and De Profundit for my saule.
1529, 1887, The Publications of the Surtees Society - Volume 83 - Page 302
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(transitive) To endue or impart wit (to); instruct.
Several passages in the chronicles show that Elfric was tender of the queen's good name: perhaps it was the queen rather than the king who, acting on the advice of Elfwinus, wished the princes bewitted, that is to say, accomplished; made men of the world, and as we should say, their manner improved: [...]
1871, Henry Scale English, Crowland and Burgh:Her face illumined by the fireglow, I had a moment to assess this beauty that had so bewitted Uther.
2009, Stephen R. Lawhead, Merlin:Yet I jeered not at the Voice, to show contempt of its failing to bewit me; but let the matter bide; [...]
2006, William Hope Hodgson, The Night Land:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| bewot | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | archaic | lexicographic |
| bewist | Tense=Past | archaic | lexicographic |
| bewist | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | archaic | lexicographic |
| bewitting | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| bewitted | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| bewitted | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| bewits | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |