Nearby Words

besetting

[bih-set-ing] Origin

be·set·ting

[bih-set-ing]
adjective
constantly assailing or obsessing, as with temptation: a besetting sin.

Origin:
1540–50; beset + -ing2

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Besetting is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

be·set

[bih-set]
verb (used with object), -set, -set·ting.
1.
to attack on all sides; assail; harass: to be beset by enemies; beset by difficulties.
2.
to surround; hem in: a village beset on all sides by dense forest.
3.
to set or place upon; bestud: a gold bracelet beset with jewels.
4.
Nautical. to surround (a vessel) by ice, so that control of the helm is lost.

Origin:
before 1000; Middle English besetten, Old English besettan. See be-, set

be·set·ment, noun
be·set·ter, noun
pre·be·set, verb (used with object), -set, -set·ting.
un·be·set, adjective


2. encircle, enclose, besiege, beleaguer. 3. stud, decorate, ornament.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
besetting (bɪˈsɛtɪŋ)
 
adj
tempting, harassing, or assailing (esp in the phrase besetting sin)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

beset
O.E. besettan "to put, place; own, keep; cover, surround with, besiege," from P.Gmc. *bisatjan (cf. O.S. bisettjan, Ger. besetzen, Goth. bisatjan); see be- + set (v.). The figurative sense also was in O.E.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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