Be-sĕt’, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. BESET; p. pr. & vb. n. BESETTING.] [be and set; A-S. besettan, O. H. Ger. bisazzian, N. H. Ger. besetzen, D. bezetten. See SET.] 1. To set or place on, in, or round. “A robe of azure beset with drops of gold.” Spectator. The garden is so beset with all manner of sweet shrubs that it perfumes the air. Evelyn.
- To stop up, as a road; to hem in; to waylay; to besiege; to blockade. “Let thy troops beset our gates.” Addison. “Beset with foes.” Milton.
- To hem in or press on all sides, so that escape is difficult; to perplex; to harass. “Adam, sore beset, replied.” Milton. “Beset with ills.” Addison. “Incommodities which beset old age.” Burke.
We are beset with thieves. Shak. Syn.—To surround; inclose; environ; hem in; besiege; encircle; encompass; embarrass; urge; press.