Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Beset, Besett, v. [ME. besette(n. OE. besettan.]

1. tr. To apply, set. a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 12.
Thai ma nocht fra thyne be brocht, Fra thai thare-in beset thare thocht

2. To surround, encompass, invest. 1513 Doug. i. ii. 63.
Dyrknes as nycht beset the seys about Ib. ii. xi. 128.
Our lugyng … was with Grekis beset 1567 G. Ball. 125.
Quhen sin besettis me a1578 Pitsc. I. 56/6.
Or ever James Stewart had knawledge that ony man besett his gait

3. To place, allot, dispose of. 15.. Clar. iii. 1232.
Richt weill beset I wald think me at schorte