beshrew

[ bih-shroo ]

verb (used with object)

, Archaic.

1. to curse; invoke evil upon.

beshrew

/ bɪˈʃruː /

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to wish evil on; curse (used in mild oaths such as beshrew me )

Word History and Origins

Origin of beshrew¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, beshrew is from the Middle English word beshrewen. See be-, shrew ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of beshrew¹

C14: see be- , shrew

Example Sentences

"Before supper, excellency, I was ready to eat and then fight my way through an army; now beshrew me, if a sound nap of an hour or so is not much to my taste!"

From Project Gutenberg

Is not Eve's flesh upon the bones of the very best jade in Christendom? and this blowzy-bell of thine, beshrew me, has no better a covering than the rest of 'em.

From Project Gutenberg

But listen now: I have weightier matters; I have eggs on the spit, beshrew me else!

From Project Gutenberg

No, marry, thou sawest me not; for why thou hadst no light; But I felt thee for all the dark, beshrew thy smooth cheeks!

From Project Gutenberg

Were it not that I fear the Dane, beshrew me if I would ask aught better than to dwell therein.”

From Project Gutenberg