Bestow
[bɪ'stəʊ] or [bɪ'sto]
Definition
(v. t.) To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put.
(v. t.) To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation.
(v. t.) To expend, as money.
(v. t.) To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or upon.
(v. t.) To give in marriage.
(v. t.) To demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by a reflexive pronoun.
Edited by Linda
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Put, place, stow, deposit, lay up in store.[2]. Give, accord, grant, impart, CONFER.[3]. Use, apply, make use of.
Edited by Clio
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Confer, give, present, award, accord, grant
ANT:Withhold, withdraw, reserve, alienate, transfer, appropriate, usurp, seize
Checked by Cordelia
Definition
v.t. to stow place or put by: to give or confer: to accommodate with quarters: to apply (with on and upon): (refl. Shak.) to acquit one's self.—ns. Bestow′al act of bestowing: disposal; Bestow′er; Bestow′ment.
Typed by Jewel
Examples
- Love, and her child, Hope, which can bestow wealth on poverty, strength on the weak, and happiness on the sorrowing. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Put me aside for ever,--you have done so, I well know,--but bestow yourself on some worthier person than Drummle. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Perhaps you will consider whether there are any other strong expressions that you would like to bestow upon me? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The effect, then, of belief is to raise up a simple idea to an equality with our impressions, and bestow on it a like influence on the passions. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Twill therefore be proper, before we leave this subject, to bestow a few reflections on that passion, and shew its origin in human nature. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Few who come here on business have any remembrance to bestow on one so removed from observation. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death;--the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine! Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Mrs Lammle bestowed a sweet and loving smile upon her friend, which Miss Podsnap returned as she best could. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- My dear, said she as she carefully folded up her scarf and gloves, my brave physician ought to have a title bestowed upon him. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Upon this history, therefore, mechanical and illiberal as it may seem (all fineness and daintiness set aside), the greatest diligence must be bestowed. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs. Reynolds was of no trifling nature. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- And it was from the gifts bestowed upon him towards the execution of this benevolent purpose, that he recruited his finances, as just now observed. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Soft tears again bedewed my cheeks, and I even raised my humid eyes with thankfulness towards the blessed sun which bestowed such joy upon me. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- It would be wisdom to abandon it now, after all the time, anxiety, and pains I have bestowed upon it! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- When happy, inanimate nature had the power of bestowing on me the most delightful sensations. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- There was something in the picture of Mr. Turveydrop bestowing his deportment on Mr. Jellyby that quite took my fancy. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- The boy sighed deeply, and, bestowing an ardent gaze upon its plumpness, unwillingly consigned it to his master. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- And--and that person, too, if I am not mistaken,' said the doctor, bestowing a scrutinising glance on the green-coated stranger. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- You will find very little to repay you for your trouble in this contemptible _thing_, sir,' replied Slurk, bestowing a Satanic frown on Pott. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Those republics encouraged the acquisition of those exercises, by bestowing little premiums and badges of distinction upon those who excelled in them. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- It'll pay better, I assure you,' said Fledgeby, bestowing an inveigling twinkle or two upon the dressmaker. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Mr. Bagnet in the meantime has shaken hands with his old comrade and with Phil, on whom Mrs. Bagnet likewise bestows a good-humoured nod and smile. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- His tenderness bestows a merit, as it does a pleasure, on his melancholy. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- I leave this to the reader's own observation; desiring him at the same time to consider the additional force this bestows on the present system. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- The examination of the impression bestows a clearness on the idea; and the examination of the idea bestows a like clearness on all our reasoning. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- This humanity bestows a merit on the actions. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Mr Lammle bestows a by no means loving look upon the partner of his joys and sorrows, and he mutters something; but checks himself. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Can I bear the consciousness that every endearment he bestows is a sacrifice made on principle? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
Inputed by Alisa