besotted, ppl. a.
(bɪˈsɒtɪd)
[f. prec. + -ed.]
1. Having the affections foolishly or dotingly engaged; infatuated.
| 1580 North Plutarch (1676) 964 Antonius..besotted by Cleopatra. a 1618 Raleigh Instr. Son ii. (1651) 6 Haue..ever more care, that thou be beloved of thy wife, rather than thyself besotted on her. 1748 Richardson Clarissa xxxii. (1811) I. 246 If you are not besotted to that man..you will like it. 1864 Burton Scot Abr. I. iii. 137 Never did besotted lover abandon himself to wilder folly. |
2. Intellectually or morally stupefied or blinded.
| 1634 Milton Comus 790 Swinish gluttony..with besotted base ingratitude Crams and blasphemes his feeder. 1687 Reflect. on Hind & P. 25 The gross Ignorance and besotted Superstition of Italy. 1877 Mozley Univ. Serm. xvi. 271 A stupid besotted indifference to everything spiritual. |
3. Intoxicated or muddled by a narcotic.
| 1831 Scott Cast. Dang. ix, You besotted villains, you have been drinking. 1832 Marryat N. Forster v, Newton went down to rouse the besotted Thompson. |