[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/beset/)

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# beset

verb (beset, besets, beset, besetting) — mostly passive «be beset by/with»

«beset» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To be beset by problems, dangers or worries is to have many of them troubling you from all sides. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#m1)
2. (old) To beset someone is to surround and attack them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#m2)
3. (Old) To be beset with something is to be decorated or set with it, such as jewels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#m3)

### In the lessons

Used in stories and news: «the journey was beset by problems», «beset with dangers». In The Wind in the Willows Mole in the Wild Wood is beset by fears; in old tales, travellers are beset by robbers.

### Examples

- The expedition was beset by storms. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#x1)
- Mole felt beset by eyes and whispers in the Wild Wood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#x2)
- The team has been beset by injuries. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#x3)
- Travellers were beset by robbers on the old road. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#x4)
- The project was beset with problems from the start. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#x5)
- She was beset by doubts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#x6)
- Her godmother only just touched her with her wand, and, at the same instant, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all beset with jewels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/#x7)

### Note

Irregular: past and past participle are «beset» (no -ed). Doubles t: besetting. Formal.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In the psalm, the enemies are like fierce bulls surrounding the speaker, a picture of danger from all sides. Habakkuk sees the wicked pressing in on the righteous. In the primary lessons: Used in stories and news: «the journey was beset by problems», «beset with dangers». In The Wind in the Willows Mole in the Wild Wood is beset by fears; in old tales, travellers are beset by robbers.

### Examples

- Many bulls have encompassed me; strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. (Writings PSA.22.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beset/#x1)
- Therefore the law is slacked, and right doth never go forth; for the wicked doth beset the righteous; therefore right goeth forth perverted. (Prophets HAB.1.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beset/#x2)
- And let them not say to their heart — I remember all their wickedness; now their own doings have beset them about, they are before My face. (Prophets HOS.7.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beset/#x3)

### Note

Irregular: past and past participle are «beset» (no -ed). Doubles t: besetting. Formal.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «beset» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beset/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«beset» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/beset.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «beset» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beset/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«beset» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/beset.html) on Mova free.