/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.