bename
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English benamen. Equivalent to be- + name. Compare Middle English benemnen, from Old English benemnan, a closely related formation. Compare further Saterland Frisian benaame, German benennen, Swedish benämna, Dutch benoemen.
Verb edit
bename (third-person singular simple present benames, present participle benaming, simple past benamed, past participle benamed or benempt)
- (obsolete, transitive) To swear on oath; to solemnly declare; promise; give.
- (transitive) To name; give a name (to); mention by name; nominate; denominate; call.
- 1896, Percival Lowell, Mars:
- Unfortunately, the planet has been quite too much benamed, — benamed, indeed, out of all recognition.
- 1994, Mervyn Sprung, After Truth: Explorations in Life Sense, SUNY Press, page 71:
- As though the benamed things carried the longings of humans;
- 2006, Roy Ascott, Engineering Nature: Art & Consciousness in the Post-Biological Era, Intellect Books:
- In other words, […] that 'names' do not 'form' benamed objects but are mere signifiers […]
- (transitive) To name; call; style; describe as.
Synonyms edit
- (to swear on oath): vow
- (to give a name, call): designate, dub, name; see also Thesaurus:denominate
- (to describe as): refer to, term
Translations edit
to give a name, call
Anagrams edit
Dutch edit
Verb edit
bename