bethink

[ bih-thingk ]

verb (used with object)

, be·thought, be·think·ing.

1. to think; consider (used reflexively):

   He bethought himself a moment.

2. to remind (oneself ):

   to bethink oneself of family obligations.

3. to remember; recall (used reflexively):

   She lives in the past now, bethinking herself of happier days.

4. to determine; resolve:

   Under the circumstances I could not otherwise bethink me.

5. Archaic. to bear in mind; remember.

verb (used without object)

, be·thought, be·think·ing.

1. Archaic. to consider; meditate.

bethink

/ bɪˈθɪŋk /

verb

1. to cause (oneself) to consider or meditate
2. troften foll byof to remind (oneself)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bethink¹

before 1000; Middle English bethenken, Old English bethencan. See be-, think ¹

Example Sentences

“Now. All night, I lay and I bethought myself—how to leave so I won’t be forgot? And behold.”

From Literature

In his Discourse on Inequality, he lamented "the first man who, having enclosed a piece of ground, bethought himself of saying, 'This is mine,' and found people simple enough to believe him."

From BBC

Truly, truly, if they rightly bethink themselves and acknowledge the truth, I shall have them for witnesses that they are licking honey off thorns.

From Project Gutenberg

I will go to him at once, Ella," he said; "and before my return you had better bethink you of what course you will pursue, in case your kinsman should not be with the Count.

From Project Gutenberg

At length I bethought me of the fire, and taking a piece of charcoal I scrawled the words on the under side of my table.

From Project Gutenberg