† beˈgrave, v. Obs.
Forms: 1 be-, bigrafan, 4–6 bi-, by-, be-grave, (Sc. begraif). pa. tense 5 begrove. pa. pple. 6 begraven.
[Comm. Teut.: OE. bi-, begrafan, cogn. w. OHG. bigraban, to bury, Goth. bigraban to dig a ditch round, mod.G. begraben; f. be- + graban, in OE. grafan to dig.]
1. trans. To bury (a corpse, treasure, etc.).
| a 1000 Elene (Gr.) 835 Roda ætsomne greote begrafene. c 1330 Arth. & Merl. 98 At Winchester..that king bigrauen wes. 1393 Gower Conf. II. 197 They..have Her gold under the erth begrave. c 1450 Lonelich Grail li. 122 They him begroven as he desired him-selve. 1528 Roy Rede & be nott wrothe (Arb.) 45 His dedde coors rychly to begraue. |
2. To engrave; to ornament with graved work.
| c 1325 Coer de L. 62 Every nayl with gold begrave. 1393 Gower Conf. I. 127 With great slighte Of werkmanship it was begrave. |