bestead Meaning, Definition & Usage

Be*stead" transitive verb

Etymology

Pref. be- + stead a place.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Bestead or Bested, also (obsolete ) Bestad In sense 3 imperfect also Besteaded

Definitions

1. To put in a certain situation or condition; to circumstance; to place. Only in p. p.

   They shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: . . . and curse their king and their God. Is. viii. 21.

   Many far worse bestead than ourselves. Barrow.

2. To put in peril; to beset. Only in p. p. Chaucer.
3. To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail. Milton.