/blend-meaning

/blend-meaning-etymology-synonyms

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation: blɛnd. 

-) Etymology: from Middle English blenden.

-) Preterite tense: blended or blent. 

-) Preterite participle: blended or blent.

-) Present participle: blending.

-) It is dated from the beginning of 1300.

-) Transitive: 1. To mix (two or more substances or one thing with another) so that they become united or make a new substance. Particularly in cookery: to mix in (a component). 

-) 2. (The subject: somebody or something) to cause (two or more different unmaterial things, as qualities, effects, etc., or one with another) to seem or become one or united; to render confused; to combine the qualities or effects of two factual things so that they become indistinguishable.

-) Synonyms for “blend”: to unite, mingle.

-) Translation: mélanger, in French; mezclar, in Spanish; unire, in Italian.

… he blended his mirth and his earnest so dexterously, that it was impossible for Nigel to discover how far he was serious in his propositions… 

Scott… The Fortunes… 1822

The Danes, after many unsuccessful attempts, subjected a great part of the country to their power, and blended their language with the language of the Saxons; but their language and that of the Saxons, being only different dialects of the same original tongue, mingled without discord, and in a short time were not to be distinguished.

Banks… The English Master… 1823

Most of their dark forms were soon blended with the brown covering of the prairie.

Cooper… The Prairie… 1827

“Enough, enough, Frank,” said Talbot, with a face in which conscious innocence and manly fortitude were blended.

Marryat… Frank Mildmay… 1829

He saluted me with an air of profound respect, slightly blended with a fatherly and patronizing admiration, wrought in him, no doubt, by my appearance of extreme youth and inexperience.

Poe… The Literary Life… 1844

A gentle expression about the mouth is blended with severity and melancholy in the upper portion of the face.

H. Howe… The Native Races… 1875

-) Intransitive: 1. (Of two or more unmaterial things) to become so united or confounded as to be indistinguishable.

-) Synonyms: to mix, mingle, commingle, merge, combine.

-) Antonym: to separate.

… where thousands of voices blended together in rude harmony.

Prescott… Philip… 1857

The distant peaks gradually blended with the white atmosphere above them and lost their definition.

J. Tyndall… The Glaciers… 1860

-) 2. In particular: (of two or more things) to cause a harmonious effect, as if they were united.

Beyond are the blue hills, dotted with villas and casinos, a shade fainter in colour than their neighbour the sky, with which they blend in one sweet harmonious whole under the mellowing influence of the bright sunshine.

The New Monthly Magazine, vol. 99… 1853

-) Words derived from the verb BLEND: blender, blending, unblended, unblendable.

 

 

/blame-meaning

/blame-meaning-etymology

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation: bleɪm.

-) It is dated from the beginning of 1200.

-) Etymology: from Old French blasmer “blame”, from Latin blasphemare “to blaspheme”, from Greek blasphemein “to speak ill of, blaspheme”, from blasphemos “evil-speaking”, from blas- + -phemos, from phanai “to say”. The Italian biasimare, and the French blâmer are from the same origin.

-) Preterite tense: blamed (pronunciation: bleɪmd).

-) Preterite participle: blamed.

-) Present participle: blaming.

-) Transitive: -) 1. To express blame or disapprobation of (an action, a person for his action or for his fault).

-) Synonyms for “blame”: to censure, reproach.

-) Antonyms: to praise, laud, extol, commend, eulogize, magnify.

-) Translation: blâmer, in French; reprochar, in Spanish; biasimare, in Italian.

Louis kept his promise of vengeance against… La Balue, whom he always blamed as having betrayed him to Burgundy.

Scott… Quentin Durward… 1823

They wondered at my temerity, and probably blamed it; but there was no time for discussion, and we separated.

F… Burney… Madame D'Arblay… 1842

Many persons blamed the conduct of Pitt on this occasion as disrespectful to the King.

Macaulay… Critical and Historical Essays… 1843

-) With the preposition “for” + a noun, or a gerund, by which the cause of disapprobation is designated:

I could hardly blame Jupiter for his opinion. 

Poe… The Gold-Bug… 1843

Clara, naturally much distressed and annoyed by this information, blamed him for not having spoken to her sooner.

Smedley… Frank Fairlegh… 1850

Those good friends of mine who have done me the honor of looking at my attempts had blamed me for the uselessness of my inventions.

Howells… A Foregone Conclusion… 1874

So, he rode slowly and thought of many things he might have done which would have been better than what he did do; and wondered what the girl thought about it and if she blamed him for not doing something different.

Bower… The Long Shadow… 1908

-) Reflexively:

She blamed herself for having ever felt dislike to Miss Clermont.

C… Bury… Love… 1838

-) 2. To attribute a fault or disapprovable action to (someone or something); to designate as deserving demerit for.

-) This meaning is confusable with the preceding one.

-) Translation: blâmer, in French; culpar, in Spanish; incolpare, in Italian.

… some blamed the ship, others the captain; but nobody thought of blaming the weather.

Mackay… The Western World… 1849

I have perhaps been to blame in delaying so long to announce my name and business.

J… Hall… Legends… 1857

She was not sorry to leave the shepherd's cottage, for she felt certain of soon finding her way back to her father and mother; and she would, indeed, have set out long before, but that her foot had somehow got hurt […], and she had never since been able for long walks, which she sometimes blamed as the cause of her temper growing worse.

MacDonald… A Double Story… 1875

He blamed the sun for the flies.

R… Cullum… The Forfeit… 1917

-) To blame: to be blamed; deserving blame; in fault.

-) Used as the predicate after “be” or after its like. OED: In the 16–17th c. the “to” was misunderstood as “too”, and “blame” taken as adj. = blameworthy, culpable.

I am aware that by many I shall be held to blame for speaking in a manner so cursory of a transaction so impalpable.

Poe… Loss of Breath… 1832

… the dogs were not so much to blame in mistaking his game flavour.

J… Lockhart… Life of Walter Scott… 1837

"My opinion is (since you ask it) that you are greatly to blame for playing pranks upon a man like Mr. Boldwood…

Hardy… Far from the Madding Crowd… 1874

So the princess is not to be blamed that she was very much frightened.

MacDonald… A Double Story… 1875

-) 3. To attribute (a fault or disapprovable action) to something or someone.

-) With the preposition “on” + noun (someone or something to blame):

In his customary birthday letter to the King, Logue blamed the dramatic turn of events on a delayed reaction to an incident…

M… Logue… The king’s Speech… 2010

-) English words derived from the verb BLAME: blameable, blamable, blamableness, blameableness, blamably, blameably, blameful, blamefully, blamefulness, blameless, blamelessly, blamelessness, blamer, blameworthy, blameworthiness, blaming, blamingly, unblameable, unblamable, unblameableness, unblamableness, unblameably, unblamably, unblamed.

 

 

/betray-meaning

/betray-meaning-etymology

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: bɪˈtreɪ. 

-) It is dated from the end of 1200.

-) Etymology: it is analysed into bi- (be-, intensive prefix) + trayen “betray”, from Old French traïr, from Latin tradĕre “to deliver, hand over”.

-) Transitive: -) 1. To deliver (a person or thing) into the power of an enemy, by treachery or perfidious conduct; to give up treacherously.

He entered into a correspondence with the Spaniards, betrayed the city to them for a sum of money, and engaged the whole garrison to desert with him to the Spanish service.

Hume… The History of England… 1688

… who was the only person upon earth who could have betrayed us to my father, because he alone was trusted with the secret of our intended marriage…

T… Smollett… The adventures… 1748

I answered his questions ingenuously, and, on his pledging his word of honour that he would not betray me to my guardians, I…

Quincey… Confessions… 1821

… he could scarce hope to betray the castle into the hands of the English without some aid within.

Aguilar… The Days of Bruce… 1871

Perhaps Jeremy had thought as he lay there dying and saw his store rifled, that he, Ilya, had betrayed the treasure.

Gorky… Three Men… 1902

-) 2. To prove faithless, treacherous or disloyal to (a person, a cause, etc.); to behave perfidiously with (someone). Less properly: to disappoint (someone), by a behavior contrary to his hope.

-) Translation: traicionar, in French; trahir, in Spanish; tradire, in Italian.

Had Gregory, the only man to whom I had confided my secret, betrayed his trust?

Bentley's Miscellany, vol. IX … 1841

The Beaver was placed by this communication in an embarrassing situation, for should he disclose what he had heard, he betrayed his friend…

Howe… Historical Collections… 1850

The most artful and insinuating promises were held out to him, to induce him to retract. Life and dignities were promised him, if he would consent to betray his cause.

J… Lord… A Modern History… 1874

-) 3. (Of something or someone) to cause (someone) to incur error or be in a inconvenient situation by false guidance; to lead into error or deceive, as if by treachery.

-) With the preposition “into” + noun or gerund standing for the error or the situation:

… though the warmth of my temper betrayed me into some unbecoming expressions…

Walpole… The Castle… 1764

A second thought shewed me the rashness of this scheme, and I wondered by what infirmity of mind I could be betrayed into a momentary approbation of it.

Brown… Wieland… 1798

He went to work very artfully, and if I had not been made a little distrustful by his over-acted civility, I might have been betrayed into telling him the whole state of the case.

S… Burney… Tales of fancy… 1820

He glanced at the door, as if he would like to escape from the victim he had betrayed into his power…

Hentz… Robert Graham… 1856

I again begged his pardon for being betrayed into interruptions.

Dickens… Three Ghost Stories… 1866

The difficulty he felt, prompted, or, rather, betrayed him into a most unworthy course, which altogether relaxed the check I had put upon myself.

Bentley's Miscellany, vol. IX… 1841

-) With the preposition “to” + noun standing for the error:

I fear I was betrayed to some lightness, for the awful eye of the parson […] was upon me in an instant, souring my incipient jest to the tristful severities of a funeral.

Lamb… The Works… 1820-1826

Others are betrayed to the same desertion of themselves by a contrary fallacy.

Johnson… The Rambler… 1825

He felt like one whom self-confidence had betrayed to the very edge of a precipice.

Reade… The Cloister… 1931

-) 4. (Of someone) to disclose by words and with breach of faith (that which should be kept secret or unrevealed); to reveal (a truth about one’s friend, or a patient, etc.), as if by treachery.

I want you to betray no secret, but I ask you for your advice.

Trollope… The Claverings… 1866

-) 5. (Of someone) to reveal or disclose unintentionally (something about oneself which one desired to keep secret, as one’s will, character, presence, etc.), as if by treachery of one’s prudence or intention.

… there was not the least chance of his being able to open it to effect his escape, without betraying himself by making a noise.

Dickens… A House to Let… 1858

… I nearly betrayed myself by a laugh…

Alcott… Little Women… 1868

… I had no desire at present to betray myself, and to let my comrades know the step I was contemplating

C… Dixon… Fifteen Hundred Miles… 1895

-) 6. (Of something) to indicate or show incidentally (what is not obvious, or what is concealed).

… leaning against a tree, and holding in his breath, lest the least noise should betray his presence, he remained motionless there, gazing upon what he beheld in mute admiration.

Bentley's Miscellany… 1841

“ Do you love him ?” For a moment or two Bessy remained silent, striving to arrange her words so that they should contain no falsehood, and yet betray no truth.

Trollope… Tales of all countries… 1861

It was a harsh answer, but the frown which accompanied it betrayed irresolution as well as anger. 

Veley… Mitchelhurst Place… 1884

A French clock on the mantel-piece, framed of brass and crystal, which betrayed its inner structure as the transparent sides of some insects betray their vital processes, struck ten with the mellow and lingering clangor of a distant cathedral bell.

Hay… The Bread-winners… 1901

Stealthily, walking on tip-toe and shading the candle lest it should betray their presence through the shutterless windows, they went first into the big dining-room.

A… Blackwood… The Empty House… 1906

-) Words derived from the verb “betray”: betrayal, betrayed, betrayer, betraying, unbetrayed, unbetraying.

 

 

/betimes-meaning

/betimes-meaning-etymology-synonyms

-) Adverb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: bɪtaɪmz.

-) Etymology: it is analysed into be- (for by) + TIME + -s (adverbial ending. Cf. beside, besides); that is, by the proper time. 

-) It is dated from 1300.

-) 1. At an early time or period; early in life.

… he should learn betimes to do every thing for himself…

H… Smith… Brambletye house… 1826

It is, or it is not, according to the nature of men, an advantage to be orphaned at an early age. Perhaps utter orphanage is rarely or never such: but to lose a father betimes profits a strong mind greatly.

Quincey… The Caesars… 1851

A sorrowful indifference to existence often pressed on me--a despairing resignation to reach betimes the end of all things earthly.

Bronte… Villette… 1853

-) 2. In particular: at an early time in the morning.

… in order to begin his favourite study betimes in the morning, he generally retired early to rest at night.

E… Hook… The Parson’s daughter… 1833

The next morning, Mr. Gudge was up betimes: for the dismissal of Sprouts compelled him to be very early at the office.

A… Smith… The struggles and adventures… 1846

I must be astir betimes; I have a great work to do to-morrow.

G… W… Melville… Holmby House… 1860

Betimes in the morning I was up and out.

Dickens… Great Expectations… 1861

-) 3. In good time; before it is late. 

-) Translation: tôt, in French; a tiempo, in Spanish; di buon'ora, in Italian.

 And yet, perhaps, if he knows it betimes, he may find some means of defeating this fine project.

H… Jones… The Scottish Chieftains… 1831

It was very lucky, indeed, that Overweg and I, with our people, kept well together in the foremost part of the train, for the natives, rushing suddenly out from their hiding-place upon the stragglers, laid hold of two camels, with which they immediately made good their retreat, their young riders, who a moment before had shown such courage, having betimes jumped off their animals and run away.

H… Barth… Travels and discoveries… 1857

-) 4. Soon, speedily, anon, forthwith.

 

 

/bestride-meaning

/bestride-meaning-etymology-synonyms

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: bɪstraɪd.

-) Preterite tense: bestrode (or, rarely, bestrid).

-) Preterite participle: bestridden (or, rarely, bestrid, bestrode).

-) Present participle: bestriding.

-) Etymology: from Old English bestrīden, from be- + strīden “to stride”.

-) It is dated from 1000.

-) Transitive: -) 1. To sit upon (an animated being) with the legs astride; to sit astride of (something).

-) Synonyms for “bestride”: to stride, straddle, overstride.

-) Translation: ahorcajarse sobre (alguien, algo), in Spanish; s’asseoir à califourchon sur (une chose, quelqu’un), enfourcher (un cheval), in French; inforcare, in Italian.

… Asinus himself galloped into view, at no great distance, urged to the unnatural gait by the impatient and brutal Weucha, who bestrode him.

Cooper… The Prairie… 1827

… he bestrode a goodly steed, well conditioned and well caparisoned…

Irving… Conquest of Granada… 1829

[Frederick] was never to be seen beyond the limits of his own domain, and, in this wide and social world, was utterly companionless - unless, indeed, that unnatural, impetuous, and fiery-colored horse, which he henceforward continually bestrode, had any mysterious right to the title of his friend.

Poe… Metzengerstein… 1832

Even now I seem to see the group of fishermen, with that old salt in the midst. One fellow sits on the counter, a second bestrides an oil- barrel, a third lolls at his length on a parcel of new cod-lines … 

Hawthorne… The Village Uncle… 1835

-) Metaphor: (the subject: an unanimated being) to be upon (something) with its extensions as if astride.

[Michael] turned upon him a countenance somewhat flushed, […] and bestridden by the spectacles.

Stevenson and L. Osbourne… The Wrong Box… 1889

-) 2. To stand over (a place) with the legs astride; to stand astride of.

-) Synonyms: to stride, straddle, bestraddle.

-) 3. Hardly documented: to stand over (an animated being) with the legs astride, in the manner of a vanquisher over a vanquished. 

-) 4. Hardly documented: to stride (a street, etc.); to walk with strides or long steps.

A huge misshapen hobgoblin used to bestride the house every evening with an immense pair of jack-boots

Irving… Goldsmith… 1849

-) English words derived from BESTRIDE: bestrider, bestriding.

-) English words linked to the etymology of “bestride”: astride, stride (noun, verb), strider, striding, stridingly, outstride, overstride.

 

 

/beset-meaning

/beset-meaning-etymology-synonym

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: bɪsɛt.

-) Etymology: from Old English besettan, analysed into be- (prefix for “around”, “on all sides”) + settan “to set”.

-) Preterite tense: beset. Preterite participle: beset.

-) Present participle: beseting.

-) It is dated from 1000.

-) Transitive: -) 1. To set (a thing) about with ornaments; to surround with accessories.

-) It is found only in preterite participle.

-) Synonym: to stud.

-) Translation: entourer, in French; rodear, in Spanish; circondare, in Italian. 

Though his cloaths were exceeding costly, and beset with jewels and precious stones, yet he is said never to have worn one suit twice, nor ever put on again a ring which he had once used.

The Historical Magazine, vol. 2… 1858

-) 2. (With plural subject: besetters) to set upon (a person or another animal) on all sides.

-) Synonyms for “beset”: to assail by stationing themselves round; to surround hostilely or annoyingly.

He broke through the band by whom he was beset, slaying two, and wounding several, and escaped safe to his Castle of Crichton.

Scott… Essay on Border Antiquities… 1814-1817

Constantly, on our way, we were beset by men, who wanted to guide us and act as intermediaries in trade.

T. Knox… Adventures… 1885

-) Metaphor: the subject: something incorporeal:

Even by daylight our way was beset by difficulties.

C. Hamilton… Men and manners in America… 1833

When I mention his weakness, I have allusion to a bizarre old-womanish superstition which beset him.

Poe… Three Sundays… 1841

… something of unsubstantiality and uncertainty had beset my hopes.

C. Bronte… Jane Eyre… 1847

… the ice formed rapidly on the deck, and covered the rigging, so much as to render it difficult to work either the brig or schooner; dangers beset us in every direction.

C. Wilkes… Voyage… 1849

… she had not a particle of the pride that beset her mother.

Ainsworth… Mervyn Clitheroe… 1858

-) 3. (With plural subject: besetters) to lay siege to (a public place); surround (a town) with armed forces in order to capture it, or so as to compel surrender.

-) Synonyms: to besiege, beleaguer.

… this rude host of natives of the mountains and the woods appeared in the vicinity of Dumbarton, besetting the town.

J. Glen… Castle of Dumbarton… 1847

-) 4. To occupy or block (a road, gate, or passage), so as to prevent any one from passing, or so as to surprise him.

Almost immediately after this victory, Don Lorenzo received notice that the fort of Anchediva was beset by 60 vessels belonging to the Moors and Malabars, well armed and manned with a number of resolute men under the command of a renegado.

R. Kerr… Voyages and Travels… 1824

I am but one man, and we must pass through these mountains that are beset with enemies.

A. Bray… The Talba… 1830

… a land thickly beset with treacherous, lurking foes and armed bands of outlying savages.

I. Scribner… Laconia… 1856

Two months afterwards, they beset her house with a guard, to prevent her from receiving any succour from friends or servants.

R. Chambers… Domestic annals… 1859-1861

-) 5. (With plural subject, but impersonal) to surround annoyingly (something or someone); to stand, lie, or be situated dangerously around.

The African coast from Morocco to the Senegal is singularly perilous, beset with numerous sandbanks, and without either port or shelter.

H. Murray… African continent… 1853

His ship, beset by ice, and sorely wounded, remained fixed and immovable for two years.

W. Abbot… American Merchant Ships… 1902

-) Words derived from “beset”: besetment, besetter, besetting.

 

/belittle-meaning

/belittle-meaning-etymology

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: bɪlɪt(ə)l or (American) bɪlɪd(ə)l.

-) Etymology: it is analysed into be- (prefix) + “little”.

-) It is dated from 1700.

-) Transitive: -) 1. (Scarcely documented) to make little or small in size, or to appear so; to diminish. 

-) 2. To treat, speak of, or think of (someone or something) contemptuously; to represent as of less value.

-) Synonyms for “belittle”: to depreciate, underrate, undervalue.

-) Antonyms of “belittle”: to overvalue, exaggerate, over-estimate (a thing); extol, enhance, exalt (a person).

-) Translation: déprécier, in French; menospreciar, in Spanish; sminuire, in Italian.

But why should she want to belittle a young girl like Rachel Ray,--a girl that her own daughters call their friend? I'll tell you why, mother. Because Rachel Ray was admired and they were not.

A. Trollope… Rachel Ray… 1863

His only relief was to belittle the importance of his loss.

H. Wilson… The Spenders… 1902

… in truth, I was more concerned with the comparison of myself to a restaurateur of the crude new city of New York, which might belittle rather than distinguish me, I suspected.

H. Wilson… Ruggles… 1915

… if they had been at all inclined to belittle the danger of their position, were made to realize it when thirty or more Navajos came flocking in from all quarters.

Bower… The Heritage… 1916

You sure enough belittle me, if you think you'd have a chance in a million of getting away from me!"

Bower… The Quirt… 1920

-) Words derived from the verb “belittle”: beˈlittling, beˈlittlement, belittler.