beath, v. Obs. exc. dial.
(biːð)
Forms: 1 beði-an, 1–5 bethe, 6– beath.
[OE. bęðian to foment:—OTeut. *baþian; a parallel form to OE. baðian (:—*baþôn) to bathe, preserving the original notion of heat: see bath.]
1. To foment, bathe with warm liquid.
| c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 72 Beða ðá éaᵹan. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 2447 First .ix. niȝt ðe liches beðen, And smeren. |
2. To heat unseasoned wood for the purpose of straightening it.
| 1496 Bk. St. Albans, Fysshyng 8 Ye shall kytte..a fayr staffe..and bethe hym in a hote ouyn. 1580 Tusser Husb. (1878) 62 Yokes, forks, and such other, let bailie spie out..And after at leasure let this be his hier, to beath them. 1653 W. Lauson Secr. Angling in Arb. Garner I. 192 Beath them a little..all in a furnace. (Still in dialectal use. Also, ‘Meat improperly roasted is said in the Midland Counties to be beathed.’ Hal.) |