Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [bih-set-ing]
- /bɪˈsɛt ɪŋ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [bih-set-ing]
- /bɪˈsɛt ɪŋ/
Definitions of besetting word
- adjective besetting tempting, harassing, or assailing (esp in the phrase besetting sin) 3
- adjective besetting constantly harassing or attacking 3
- adjective besetting constantly assailing or obsessing, as with temptation: a besetting sin. 1
- verb with object besetting to attack on all sides; assail; harass: to be beset by enemies; beset by difficulties. 1
- verb with object besetting to surround; hem in: a village beset on all sides by dense forest. 1
- verb with object besetting to set or place upon; bestud: a gold bracelet beset with jewels. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of besetting
First appearance:
before 1540 One of the 30% oldest English words
First recorded in 1540-50; beset + -ing2
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Besetting
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
besetting popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 79% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 59% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
besetting usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for besetting
adj besetting
- compulsive — You use compulsive to describe people or their behaviour when they cannot stop doing something wrong, harmful, or unnecessary.
Top questions with besetting
- what is besetting?
- what is a besetting sin?
- what does besetting sin mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with b
- Words starting with be
- Words starting with bes
- Words starting with bese
- Words starting with beset
- Words starting with besett
- Words starting with besetti
- Words starting with besettin
- Words starting with besetting