bes me, bees me, bis me

[BESOM.] he cummynge, fyndeth it voide clensid with bismes, and maad faire."- Wycliffe ( Matt. xii. 441, bě-smear, be-smeare, vt . [Eng. prefix be, and smear. A.S. besmired , besmyred = besmeared; be and smyrian, smyrigan, smerian, smirian to smear, to anoint; smeru = fat, grease, butter. In Dan. besmöre; Dut. besmeren; Ger. beschmieren = to besmear.] I. Literally : 1. To cover over with something unetuous, which adheres to what it touches. (a) The unctuous substance not being neces sarily fitted to defile : "But lay, as in a dream of deep delight, Besm trd with precious balın, whose virtuous might Did heal his wounds." Spenser: F. Q.. I. xi. 50. (b) The unctuous substance being fitted to defile : "First, Moloch, horrid king, besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears." Milon: P. L. , bk. L 2. To cover with something not unctuous. grooms besmear'd with gold." Milton: P. L. , bk. v. ".. II. Fig .: To soil; to defile in a moral sense. "My honour would not let ingratitude So much besmear it." Shakesp.: Mer. of Ven., v. 1. bě-smëar'ed, pa . par . [BESMEAR.] bě-smëar-er, s. [Eng. besmear; -er. In well upon, to suit, to befit. [BESET, I. 2.] "Me ill besits , that in der-doing armes And honour's suit iny vowed daies do spend." Spenser: F. Q., II. vii. 10. *bě-sit-ting, pr . par . [BESIT.] Befitting. "And that which is for ladies most besitting , To stint all strife, and foster friendly peace." Spenser: F. Q., IV. il, 19.