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bestow

 - 9 dictionary results

be⋅stow

  [bi-stoh]
Use bestow in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to present as a gift; give; confer (usually fol. by on or upon): The trophy was bestowed upon the winner.
2. to put to some use; apply: Time spent in study is time well bestowed.
3. Archaic.
a. to provide quarters for; house; lodge.
b. to put; stow; deposit; store.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME bestowen. See be-, stow1

Related forms:
be⋅stow⋅al, be⋅stow⋅ment, noun

Synonyms:
1. grant, vouchsafe, award, accord.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bestow
be·stow   (bĭ-stō')   
tr.v.   be·stowed, be·stow·ing, be·stows

  1. To present as a gift or an honor; confer: bestowed high praise on the winners.

  2. To apply; use: "On Hester Prynne's story . . . I bestowed much thought" (Nathaniel Hawthorne).

  3. To place or stow: "He bestowed [the money]in his pockets with feigned composure" (James Joyce).

  4. To store or house.


[Middle English bistowen : bi-, be- + stowen, to place; see stow.]
be·stow'a·ble adj., be·stow'al, be·stow'ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry:  bestow1
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to present as a gift; grant, give
Etymology:  Middle English be- + stowen 'to place'
Usage:  transitive
Main Entry:  bestow2
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to deposit in a place; put in a position or situation
Etymology:  Middle English be- + stowen 'to place'
Main Entry:  bestow3
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to apply or put to use; employ
Etymology:  Middle English be- + stowen 'to place'
Main Entry:  bestow4
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to give lodging; put up
Etymology:  Middle English be- + stowen 'to place'
Main Entry:  bestow5
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to store, stow away
Etymology:  Middle English be- + stowen 'to place'
Main Entry:  bestow
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  bestowing; stowage, storage
Etymology:  Old French bombace 'cotton wadding'
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
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Word Origin & History

bestow 
c.1315, bistowen "give" (as alms, etc.), from be- + stowen "to place" (see stow).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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