beshrew, v. arch.
(bɪˈʃruː)
Forms: 4 be-, byschrewe, bishrewe, (6 bescro), 6–7 beshrow(e, 4–7 beshrewe, 5– beshrew.
[f. be- 2 + shrew v.]
† 1. trans. To make wicked or evil; to deprave, pervert, corrupt. Obs.
| c 1325 Poem temp. Edw. II, 45 Þis world is al beshrewed. 1382 Wyclif Prov. x. 9 Who forsothe beshrewith [1388 makith schrewid; Vulg. depravat] his weies, shal be maad opene. ― 1 Kings xi. 4 The herte of hym is beshrewid bi wymmen. 1393 Gower Conf. I. 63 His herte is all beshrewed. 1556 Abp. Parker Psalter lvi. 161 What flesh can do, though all beshrowd, I feare no whit at all. |
† 2. To treat evilly, use ill, abuse. Obs.
| c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems 115 Thus they went from the game begylyd and beglued Nether on other wyst hom they went beshrewyd. |
† 3. To invoke evil upon, to wish (one) all that is bad, to invoke a curse on; to curse, objurgate, or blame greatly, as the cause of misfortune. Obs.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. iv. 168 A schireues clerke byschrewed al þe route. c 1386 Chaucer Wife's Prol. 844 Now elles, frere, I bishrewe thy face. Quod this Somonour, and I bishrewe me But if I telle tales two or thre Of freres. c 1485 Digby Myst. (1882) ii. 88 Hye the faster, I beshrew thi skynne. 1533 More Debell. Salem Wks. 948/2, I durste well in the same worde (Some saye) beshrewe hym, and beshrowe hym agayne. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iv. ix. 280 He hath just cause to beshrew his fingers. 1682 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin ii. 106 Trembling she lay, and in her heart beshrewed him. |
b. Now only in imprecatory expressions (beshrew me, thee, etc.): ‘Evil befall, mischief take, devil take, curse, hang!’; also, with weakened force, ‘plague on,’ and often humorous or playful. arch. [Perhaps not imperative, but an elliptical form like (I) thank you! (I) pray! (I) prithee!]
| 1566 T. Stapleton Ret. Untr. Jewell iii. 63 Then beshrowe the lyar. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado v. i. 55 Marry beshrew my hand, If it should giue your age such cause of feare. 1604 ― Oth. iv. iii. 78 Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong For the whole world. 1768 Sterne Sent. Journ. (1775) 85 Beshrew the sombre pencil! said I. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth ii, Beshrew me if thou passest this door with dry lips. 1856 Bryant Strange Lady iii, Be-shrew my erring bow! |