bewit

present singular third person bewits · archaic present singular third person bewot · participle present bewitting · participle past bewitted · past bewitted · archaic participle past bewist · archaic past bewist

1. transitiveTo bequeath.

   I bewit to everye preiste at Saincte Egidie chapell viij d., beside dutyes of churche, to saye Mimrere Pmlvie and De Profundit for my saule.

   1529, 1887, The Publications of the Surtees Society - Volume 83 - Page 302

   2 more examples

   Al my other goodes afore not bewitted, my dettes paide, and my legacy fulfilled, I gyve and witto to my sones Roberte Bulmer and John Bulmer, whome I make my executors.

   1527, James Raine, John William Clay, Testamenta eboracensia, published 1902

   "[...] as Queen Anne espied, who was then thought to be with child, she for anger and disdain miscarried, as she said, bewitting the king with it, who willed her to pardon him, and he would not displease her in that kind thereafter".

   1953, Philip Lindsay, The secret of Henry the Eighth

2. transitiveTo endue or impart wit (to); instruct.

   Her face illumined by the fireglow, I had a moment to assess this beauty that had so bewitted Uther.

   2009, Stephen R. Lawhead, Merlin

   2 more examples

   Several passages in the chronicles show that Elfric was tender of the queen's good name: perhaps it was the queen rather than the king who, acting on the advice of Elfwinus, wished the princes bewitted, that is to say, accomplished; made men of the world, and as we should say, their manner improved: [...]

   1871, Henry Scale English, Crowland and Burgh

   Yet I jeered not at the Voice, to show contempt of its failing to bewit me; but let the matter bide; [...]

   2006, William Hope Hodgson, The Night Land

plural bewits · alternative bewet

1. archaicin pluralfalconryA small strip of leather by which bells are fastened to a hawk's legs.