▪ I. bestead, v.1
(bɪˈstɛd)
Also 7 bested, -steed. pa. tense besteaded. pa. pple. 6 bestedde, 9 bested, bestead.
[f. be- 2 + stead v.1 to prop, support, help.]
1. trans. To help, assist, relieve.
| 1581 Sir H. Savile Tacitus iii. xxxii. (1591) 133 They were thought to haue bestedde and helped Vitellius side. 1627 R. Perrot Jacobs Vowe 56 Better able by his purse..to bestead his neighbours, than they him. 1662 Fuller Worthies (1840) I. 520 Who besteaded him with the kings favour. 1874 Holland Mistr. Manse xxi. 96 Sapphire nought without the red, Ruby still by blue bested. |
2. To be of service or use to; to avail.
| 1589 Sir F. Drake's Voy. W. Ind. (R.) Great store of dry Newfoundland fish..did very greatly bestead us. 1669 Woodhead St. Teresa ii. xix. 128 All nights..our mantles of thick Cloth which many times besteaded us. 1805 Southey Madoc in Azt. xv, Little did then his pomp of plumes bestead The Azteca..Against the tempered sword. 1862 Clough in Macm. Mag. Aug. 321 Thou vain Philosophy! Little hast thou bestead, Save to perplex the head. |
▪ II. † beˈstead, v.2 Obs.
[f. be- 6 + stead n. place.]
To go instead of, take the place of.
| 1596 Nashe Saffron Wald. 111 Hys missing of the Vniuersitie Oratorship, wherin Doctor Perne besteaded him. |