beteem · verb — to permit; allow; suffer. It carries an Arena rating of 1511, earned across 34 head-to-head judged battles.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, beteem ranks #260 of 17,207 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #1,642 of 17,177 for Most Whimsical Words, #2,213 of 17,205 for The Improbable, #4,203 of 17,172 for Most Beautiful Words.
Why “beteem” is a great word
To grant permission or allowance, typically from a position of personal inclination, as one who deigns to find a thing suitable. From the Middle English prefix be- (expressing completeness or causation) + teem ('to befit, be suitable'), cognate with Dutch betamen ('to befit, behove'). Unlike 'permit,' which implies formal authority, or 'vouchsafe,' which carries a specific note of condescending favor, to beteem is a more archaic, personal act of finding something fitting to allow. It is the weary grandfather assenting to a child's plea, the storm-battered coast suffering one more ship to founder, or the dying century allowing a final poet to speak—the quiet power to endure what might be refused, a sovereign nod from the throne of private judgment.
❧ Essay by Lexicurio’s AI · definition, etymology & citations from published sources
Etymology
From be- + teem (“to befit”). Cognate with Dutch betamen (“to befit, behove, beseem”).
verb
- To permit; allow; suffer.e.g.“So excellent a king, that was to this / Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother / That he might not beteem the winds of heaven / Visit her face too roughly.” — c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggar
- To grant, vouchsafe (something to someone); accord; give.e.g.“So would I (said th'enchaunter) glad and faine / Beteeme to you this sword, you to defend [...].” — 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
- To bestow; afford; allow; deign.
- To bring forth; produce; shed.
- To pour all about.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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