BESETTING
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
besetting
present participle of beset
Noun
besetting (plural besettings)
The act of one who besets or attacks.
Adjective
besetting (comparative more besetting, superlative most besetting)
Deeply rooted; persistent.
Obsessive
Source: Wiktionary
Be*set"ting, a.
Definition: Habitually attacking, harassing, or pressing upon or about; as, a besetting sin.
BESET
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
Word of the Day
16 November 2024
LEAVE
(verb) go and leave behind, either intentionally or by neglect or forgetfulness; “She left a mess when she moved out”; “His good luck finally left him”; “her husband left her after 20 years of marriage”; “she wept thinking she had been left behind”
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