beseech

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English besechen, bisechen, prefixed form of Old English sēċan (“to seek or inquire about”); compare the doublet beseek, from the same dialect that gave seek. Cognate with Saterland Frisian besäike (“to visit”), Dutch bezoeken (“to visit, attend, see”), German besuchen (“to visit, attend, see”), Swedish besöka (“to visit, go to see”). By surface analysis, be- +‎ seech.

Pronunciation

Verb

beseech (third-person singular simple present beseeches, present participle beseeching, simple past and past participle beseeched or besought) (transitive)

  1. To beg or implore something of (a person).
  • 1549 March 7, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Introites, Collectes, Epistles, and Gospels, to be Used at the Celebracion of the Lordes Supper & Holye Communion, throughe the Yeare: With Proper Psalmes, and Lessons for Diuers Feastes and Dayes. ”, in The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacramentes, , London: Edowardi Whitchurche , →OCLC, folio lxviii, recto:
    e beſche thee, leaue vs not comfortles, but ſende to vs thine holy ghoſt to comfort vs, and exalte vs vnto thy ſame place, whither our ſauiour Chriſte is gone before: […]
  • 1748, [David Hume], Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding, London: A Millar, , →OCLC:
    after what manner, I beseech you, must the mind proceed in this operation?
  • 1887 March 25, Rudyard Kipling, “Watches of the Night”, in Plain Tales from the Hills, Calcutta: Thacker, Spink and Co.; London: W. Thacker & Co., published 1888, →OCLC:
    She besought him, for his Soul's sake to speak the truth.
  • 1919, W Somerset Maugham, chapter XXXI, in The Moon and Sixpence, : Grosset & Dunlap Publishers , →OCLC:
    Panting a little in his haste, he told her how miserable he was; he besought her to have mercy on him; he promised, if she would forgive him, to do everything she wanted.
  • 2019 December 10, Yacht Club Games, Shovel Knight: King of Cards, Nintendo 3DS, level/area: Royal Pond:
    [King Knight defeats the Troupple King.] / Troupple Acolyte: 'HALT! I BESEECH THEE! PLEASE, NO MORE!'
  • To beg or request for (something).

    • Derived terms

    Translations

    Noun

    beseech (plural beseeches)

    1. (archaic) A request.

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