BESET

beset, set upon

(verb) assail or attack on all sides: “The zebra was beset by leopards”

encrust, incrust, beset

(verb) decorate or cover lavishly (as with gems)

harass, hassle, harry, chivy, chivvy, chevy, chevvy, beset, plague, molest, provoke

(verb) annoy continually or chronically; “He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked”; “This man harasses his female co-workers”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

beset (third-person singular simple present besets, present participle besetting, simple past and past participle beset)

(transitive) To surround or hem in.

(transitive, sometimes, figurative) To attack or assail, especially from all sides.

(transitive) To decorate something with jewels etc.

(nautical) Of a ship, to get trapped by ice.

Anagrams

• Beets, Beste, beest, beets, tsebe

Source: Wiktionary

Be*set", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beset; p. pr. & vb. n. Besetting.] Etym: [AS. besettan (akin to OHG. bisazjan, G. besetzen, D. bezetten); pref. be- + settan to set. See Set.]

1. To set or stud (anything) with ornaments or prominent objects. A robe of azure beset with drops of gold. Spectator. The garden is so beset with all manner of sweet shrubs that it perfumes the air. Evelyn.

2. To hem in; to waylay; to surround; to besiege; to blockade. "Beset with foes." Milton. Let thy troops beset our gates. Addison.

3. To set upon on all sides; to perplex; to harass; -- said of dangers, obstacles, etc. "Adam, sore beset, replied." Milton. "Beset with ills." Addison. "Incommodities which beset old age." Burke.

4. To occupy; to employ; to use up. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Syn.

– To surround; inclose; environ; hem in; besiege; encircle; encompass; embarrass; urge; press.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition