besetting
Use Besetting in a sentence
ɪŋ adjective
constantly assailing or obsessing, as with temptation: a besetting sin.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
verb (used with object), be·set, be·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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To besetting
00:10
Besetting
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
beset (bɪˈsɛt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , -sets, -setting, -set | |
| 1. | (esp of dangers, temptations, or difficulties) to trouble or harass constantly |
| 2. | to surround or attack from all sides |
| 3. | archaic to cover with, esp with jewels |
| be'setter | |
| —n | |
| 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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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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Example sentences
He also found time to keep up with political problems besetting the new nation.
Where temptation to fall into the besetting sins of tourists is great, the merit of avoiding them is equally great.
However, there are other issues besetting the fortunes of these green machines, according to the study.
His besetting sin heretofore has been opening his mouth.
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