† befindv.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To find, discover.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)]
findOE
yfindOE
hita1075
befindc1200
out-findc1300
to try outc1325
to find outa1375
to find upc1390
ascryc1400
outwryc1400
inventc1475
vent1611
to hit off1680
discover1762
to scare up1846
to pick up1869
rumble1897
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 47 Hire ferede was bifunden alse hie frend hedde.
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483) v. iii. 93 The fyrst that was byfound with this vertu.
2. To invent, contrive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > devise, contrive, or make up, compose, or concoct
craftOE
befind1297
visec1325
contrive1377
temper1390
preparate?a1425
brew1530
to make up1530
forge1549
compact1576
mint1593
feign1690
to get up1828
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 267 Þeruor he byuonde þat þer were hondredes in eche contreye.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. He byuond vorst a queintyse aȝen þe Deneys to anstond.
3. In passive, ‘To be found’ = to be. Cf. German sich befinden, French se trouver.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (intransitive)]
liveeOE
beOE
i-bea1175
befindc1175
to be beleft1340
to consist of1565
exist1570
re1597
breathe1652
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 129 Forr ȝho wass swa bifundenn wif Þatt ȝho ne mihhte tæmenn.
c1230 Hali Meid. 31 Ne beon ha neauer swa wið fulðe bifunden.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
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v.c1175- sheep's bane
- sheep's beard
- sheep's bell
- sheep's bit
- sheep's course
- sheep's feet
- sheep's fescue
- sheep's foot
- sheep's foot roller
- sheep's grey
- sheep's gut
- sheep's heart
- sheep's herd
- sheep's leather
- sheep's nose
- sheep's parsley
- sheep's pellet
- sheep's russet
- sheep's scabious
- sheep's silver
- sheep's sleight
- sheep's snout
- sheep's sorrel
- sheep's tongue
- sheep's wool