beset

English

/bɪˈsɛt/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To surround or hem in.
  • (transitive) To attack or assail, especially from all sides.
  • (transitive) To decorate something with jewels etc.
  • (nautical) Of a ship, to get trapped by ice.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English besetten inherited from Old English besettan (appoint, set beside, possess, beset, place, set near, own) inherited from Proto-Germanic *bisatjaną (set around, beset, set near) prefix from English set.

Origin

English

set

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms