beset — ozdic

Definitions

verb

1

Senses relating to surrounding.

He that hath read Seneca or Boethius, is well provided against any ordinary misfortune; and to have by heart the story of Argalus and Parthenia; the dolorous madrigals of old Plangus in the Arcadia; or the history of Pyramus and Thisbe, is a never failing remedy for the mubble-fubbles: For to be acquainted with sadness, besets familiarity, and familiars never kill one another, unless the devil is in them.

“Nay, for matter o’ that, he never doth any mischief,” said the woman; “but to be sure it is necessary he should keep some arms for his own safety; for his house hath been beset more than once; and it is not many nights ago that we thought we heard thieves about it […]

2

Senses relating to surrounding.

3

Senses relating to surrounding.

4

Senses relating to surrounding.

For thou, deere Lord, thou me besett'st; / Thy rodd and thy staff be / To comfort me: […]

Thou me beſetſt behind, before, / and laidſt thine hand on me, / Such knovvledge is for me too ſtrange, / it to attain's^([sic – meaning attainest]) too hie [high].

5

Senses relating to surrounding.

Collocations

5

ADJ.

foreseeable, still, technical

VERB + BESET

fled, house

BESET + NOUN

difficulties, terrorism, terrors

PREP.

than, with

ADV.

once

Thesaurus

Synonyms

verb — decorate or cover lavishly (as with gems)

encrust
incrust

verb — annoy continually or chronically

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

6

01

He that hath read Seneca or Boethius, is well provided against any ordinary misfortune; and to have by heart the story of Argalus and Parthenia; the dolorous madrigals of old Plangus in the Arcadia; o

Wiktionary

02

“Nay, for matter o’ that, he never doth any mischief,” said the woman; “but to be sure it is necessary he should keep some arms for his own safety; for his house hath been beset more than once; and it

Wiktionary

03

It may be but an idle whim, but it has always seemed to me, that the extraordinary vacillations of movement displayed by some whales when beset by three or four boats; the timidity and liability to qu

Wiktionary

04

The problem was beset with difficulties.

Tatoeba · #43743

05

Although the catastrophe which beset us was foreseeable, no one did anything to prevent it before it occurred.

Tatoeba · #7549002

06

But before they went to bed, the men of the city beset the house, both young and old, all the people together.

Tatoeba · #7858710

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, beset is marked as archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.