▪ I. besprent, ppl. a.
(bɪˈsprɛnt)
[f. prec., where see forms.]
Besprinkled. a. with moisture of any kind, or dust.
| c 1368 Chaucer Compl. Pite 10 To Pite ran I all bespreynt [v.r. besprente] with teres. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 269/1 Thre stones besprenct with his bloode. Ibid. 353/1 Stones bespryncte and specled as it were with blood. 1535 Joye Apol. Tindale (Arb.) 17 Euen unto the bespreigned bloude. 1561 Jr. Heywood Seneca's Herc. Furens (1581) 19 My body thus with wicked bloud besprinct. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Nov. 111 Morne now my muse..with teares besprint. 1634 Milton Comus 542 Knot-grass dew-besprent. a 1866 Longfellow Sir Christopher 133 His boots with dust and mire besprent. |
b. with points, or objects dotted about: Strewed.
| 1556 Abp. Parker Psalter cii[i], My soule with cares was full besprenct. 1837 Wordsw. At Vallombrosa, The flowerbesprent meadows. 1873 Browning Red Cotton Night-Cap Country 162 The tawdry tent..besprent with hearts and darts. |
2. Scattered, strewed about.
| 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 15 Having certain blottes besprent upon it. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. II. iii. 139 He lay upon the flowers besprent about. |
▪ II. † beˈsprent, v. Obs. rare—1.
[improperly f. prec.]
trans. To besprinkle.
| 1573 Twyne æneid xii. Mm iv, Latinus rentes His hoarie head..and auntient beard with durt besprentes. |