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

BESETTING

BESET

Etymology

Verb

Noun

Adjective

BESET

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