From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Beset \Be*set"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beset}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Besetting}.] [AS. besettan (akin to OHG. bisazjan, G.
besetzen, D. bezetten); pref. be- + settan to set. See
{Set}.]
1. To set or stud (anything) with ornaments or prominent
objects.
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A robe of azure beset with drops of gold.
--Spectator.
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The garden is so beset with all manner of sweet
shrubs that it perfumes the air. --Evelyn.
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2. To hem in; to waylay; to surround; to besiege; to
blockade. "Beset with foes." --Milton.
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Let thy troops beset our gates. --Addison.
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3. To set upon on all sides; to perplex; to harass; -- said
of dangers, obstacles, etc. "Adam, sore beset, replied."
--Milton. "Beset with ills." --Addison. "Incommodities
which beset old age." --Burke.
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4. To occupy; to employ; to use up. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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Syn: To surround; inclose; environ; hem in; besiege;
encircle; encompass; embarrass; urge; press.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
beset
v 1: annoy continually or chronically; "He is known to harry his
staff when he is overworked"; "This man harasses his female
co-workers" [syn: {harass}, {hassle}, {harry}, {chivy},
{chivvy}, {chevy}, {chevvy}, {beset}, {plague}, {molest},
{provoke}]
2: assail or attack on all sides: "The zebra was beset by
leopards" [syn: {beset}, {set upon}]
3: decorate or cover lavishly (as with gems) [syn: {encrust},
{incrust}, {beset}]
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