bestow

UK /bɪˈstəʊ/US /bɪˈstoʊ/

verb 8
noun 1
forms 7

verb8

•
To impart (something) gratuitously; to present (something) to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; to confer, to give, to accord; to render.
- I bestow upon you the name of Peter.
- Medals were bestowed on the winning team.
•
To apply or make use of (someone or something); to employ, to use.
- All the voide time, that is betwene the huores of woorke slepe and meat, that they be suffered to bestowe, euerye man as he lyketh beste hym selfe. — 1551
•
[with oneself] (no longer used) To give (someone or oneself) in marriage.
- You say, if I bring in your Rosalinde, / You vvill bestovv her on Orlando heere? — 1598
(no longer used) To apply (money) for some purpose; to expend, to spend.
•
(no longer used) To place or put (someone or something) somewhere or in a certain situation; to dispose of.
- The diuell take the one partie, / And his dam the other, / And theyle be both bestovved. / I haue endured more for their sakes, / Then man is able to endure. — 1597
•
(no longer used) To deposit (something) for safekeeping; to lay up (something) in store; to stow.
- The londes of a certayne man brought forth frutes plenteously⸝ and he thought in hym silfe sayinge: whatt shall I do⸝ because I have noo roume where to bestowe my frutes? — 1526
•
[with oneself] (no longer used) To provide (someone or oneself) with accommodation; to find quarters for (someone or oneself); to lodge, to quarter.
- The sixteene daye of May they were al bestovved abourd in Spanish shippes furnished with victual, & other necessaries for that iourney. — 1577
•
[with oneself] (no longer used) To behave or conduct (oneself); to acquit.
- Hovv might vve see Falstaffe bestovv himself to night in his true colours, and not our selues be seene? — 1596

noun1

(no longer used, rare) An act of presenting a thing to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; a bestowal.

forms

bestow'd · bestowed · bestowedst · bestowing · bestoweth · bestows · bestowest