Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb transitive To lay hold on;
seize ;grasp ;catch ;clutch . - verb intransitive, obsolete To take hold on;
begin orcommence upon. - verb transitive, obsolete To
encompass ;enclose ;contain ;comprehend .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Middle English befon (past participle befangen), from Old English befōn ("to surround, clasp, include, envelop, encase, clothe, comprehend, seize, attack (at law), lay hold of, catch, ensnare, contain, receive, conceive, explain"), equivalent to be- + fang. Cognate with Dutch bevangen ("to seize"), Middle High German bevān ("to comprehend").
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word befang.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.