begird

[ bih-gurd ]

verb (used with object)

, be·girt or be·gird·ed, be·gird·ing.

1. to gird about; encompass; surround.

begird

/ bɪˈɡɜːd /

verb

1. to surround; gird around
2. to bind

Word History and Origins

Origin of begird¹

before 900; Middle English begirden, Old English begierdan. See be-, gird ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of begird¹

Old English begierdan ; see be- , gird ¹

Example Sentences

Then see thy living sons, how one with other ever is at war, and whom the self-same wall and moat begird, gnaw at each other's lives.

From Project Gutenberg

There are, O, valiant youth! of those once chang'd, “Still in the new-form'd figures who remain: “Others there are whose power more wide extends “To many shapes to alter.—Proteus, thou “Art one; thou 'habitant of those wide waves “Which earth begird: now thou a youth appear'st; “And now a lion; then a furious boar; “A serpent next we tremble to approach; “And then with threatening horns thou seem'st a bull.

From Project Gutenberg

I honestly believe that his performance would beat down the frigid steel ramparts that begird the English "lady."

From Project Gutenberg

But there was one of them that could not do so, because Harold bore off that skin wherewith she was wont to begird herself, and when she found it not she wailed and wept and besought Harold to give her that skin again,—and, lo! it was Eleanor, the wife of Egbert!

From Project Gutenberg

Neither the nurse who comes at dawn to visit her nursling E'er shall avail her neck to begird with yesterday's ribband.

From Project Gutenberg