become, becomed, becomen, be com in, bicomen

& a. [BECOME, v.] A. Es pa. par. (Of all forms except becomed): In senses corresponding to those of the verb. B. As participial adj. (Of the form become): Becoming, fit, suitable, appropriate. bě-com-ing, * bě-com-ming, pr. par., a., & s. [BECOMΕ, ν.] A. As pr. par.: In senses corresponding to those of the verb, whether intransitive or transitive. "This is, sir, a doubt In such a time nothing becoming you, Nor satisfying us. Shakesp.: Cymbeline, iv. 4. B. As participial adj.: Befitting, suitable, proper; in harmony or keeping with; graceful in conduct, in attire, . "And many a compliment politely penn'd; But unattired in that becoming vest Religion weaves for her. Cowper: Table Talk. It is sometimes followed by in , for , or of, the last being obsolete. The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia "Their discourses are such as belong to their age, their calling, and their breeding; such as are becoming of them, and of them only."-Dryden. C. As substantive: 1. In the abstract : That which is befitting, suitable, proper, in harınony with, or graceful. "Self-respect and a fine sense of the becoming were not to be expected from one who had led a life of mendicancy and adulation." -Macaulay : Hist. Eng., ch. vii. *2. In the concrete: Ornament. "Sir, forgive me, Since my becomings kill me when they not Eye well well to you." Shakesp. Ant. & Cleop ., 1. 3. (a) Crabb thus distinguishes the terms becoming, decent, fit , and suitable : "What is becoming respects the manner of being in society, such as it ought, as to person, time, and place. Decency regards the manner of displaying one's self, so as to be approved and respected. Fitne and suitablene relate. to the disposition, arrangement, and order of either being or doing, according to persons, things, or circumstances. The becoming consists of an exterior that is pleasing to the view: decency involves moral propriety; it is regulated by the fixed rules of good breeding: fitne is regulated by local circumstances, and suitablene by the established customs and usages of society. The dre of a woman is becoming that renders her person more agreeable to the eye; it is decent if it no wise offend modesty; it is fit if it be what the occasion requires; it is suitable if it be according to the rank and character of the wearer. What is becoming varies for every individual; the age, the complexion, the stature, and the habits of the person must be consulted in order to obtain the appearance which is becoming ; what becomes a young female, or one of fair complexion, may not become one who is farther advanced in life, or who has dark features. Decency is one and the same for all; all civilized nations have drawn the exact line between the decent and indecent, although fashion may sometimes draw females aside from this line. Fitne varies with the seasons, or the circumstances of persons; what is fit for the winter is unfit for the summer, or what is fit for dry weather is unfit for the wet; what is fit for town is not fit for the country; what is fit for a healthy person is not fit for one that is infirm. Suitablene accommodates itself to the external circumstances and conditions of persons; the house, the furniture, the equipage of a prince, must be suitable to his rank; the retinue of an amba ador must be suitable to the character which he has to maintain, and to the wealth, dignity, and importance of the nation whose monarch he represents." (b) Becoming , comely, and graceful are thus discriminated:-These epithets "are employed to mark in general what is agreeable to the eye. Becoming denotes le than comely , and this le than graceful nothing can be comely or graceful which is unbecoming; although many things are becoming which are neither comely nor graceful. Becoming respects the decorations of the person, and the exterior deportment; comely respects natural embellishments; graceful natural or artificial accomplishments: manner is becoming; figure is comely ; air, figure, or attitude is graceful . Becoming is relative; it depends on taste and opinion, on accordance with the prevailing sentiments or particular circumstances of society. Comely and graceful are absolute; they are qualities felt and acknowledged by all." (Crabb: Eng. Synon.) bě-com-ing-lý, adv. [Eng. becoming; -ly.] In a becoming manner; suitably, properly, befittingly. expediently, piously, and prudently, conscientiously, and becomingly."-Bp. Taylor: Artif. Hands, p. 74. bě-com-ing-ne , s. [Eng. becoming; -ne .] The quality of being proper or becoming; propriety. "Nor is the majesty of the divine government greater in its extent than the becomingne hereof is in its manner and form."- Grew .