Meanings
present singular third person benames · participle present benaming · past benamed · participle past benamed · participle past benempt
- transitiveTo name; give a name (to); mention by name; nominate; denominate; call.
As though the benamed things carried the longings of humans;
1994, Mervyn Sprung, After Truth: Explorations in Life Sense, SUNY Press, page 712 more examples
Unfortunately, the planet has been quite too much benamed, — benamed, indeed, out of all recognition.
1896, Percival Lowell, MarsIn other words, […] that 'names' do not 'form' benamed objects but are mere signifiers […]
2006, Roy Ascott, Engineering Nature: Art & Consciousness in the Post-Biological Era, Intellect BooksSynonyms: designate
Synonyms & antonyms
verbTo swear on oath; to solemnly declare; promise; give.
verbTo name; give a name (to); mention by name; nominate; denominate; call.
verbTo name; call; style; describe as.
Origin
- Middle Englishbenamen
- Englishbename
From Middle English benamen. Equivalent to be- + name. Compare Middle English benemnen, from Old English benemnan, a closely related formation. Compare further Saterland Frisian benaame, German benennen, Swedish benämna, Dutch benoemen.
More words from Middle English
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Dutch benamen, benoemen
- benamento give a name, call
- benoemento give a name, call
- namento give a name, call
- vernoemento give a name, call
French appeler
- appelerto give a name, call
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
bename. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bename
“bename.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bename. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bename,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bename.
Source: bename on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.