bested

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bestead or Bested, also (Obs.) Bestad. In sense 3 imp. also Besteaded. ] [ Pref. be- + stead a place. ] 1. To put in a certain situation or condition; to circumstance; to place. [ Only in p. p. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: . . . and curse their king and their God. Is. viii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many far worse bestead than ourselves. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put in peril; to beset. [ Only in p. p. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]