bestayEtymologyFrom be- + stay, from Middle English *stayen, steyen, from Old French estaier, estayer (“to prop, stay, support”), from estaye (“prop, support”), of Proto-Germanic origin. More at stay.bestay means to secure or steady; cause to come to a fixed position or state; bring to a halt or stop. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.verbTo secure or steady; cause to come to a fixed position or state; bring to a halt or stop.“Mid the half-furrowed field bestay the plough, Bid the twin toilers of the yoke go free, And aught that doth thee patient servitude, From closing sabbath to its blest return, [...]”