English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English bewinnen, biwinnen, equivalent to be- +‎ win. Cognate with Middle High German bewinnen.

Verb edit

bewin (third-person singular simple present bewins, present participle bewinning, simple past and past participle bewon)

  1. (transitive, archaic) To gain, win, or get possession of.
    • 1790, The plays and poems of William Shakspeare:
      His helme to bewin was in twenty places, []
    • 1855, New York State United Teachers, United Federation of Teachers, New York Teacher: UFT bulletin:
      A word to you in and for the Teacher—that is, the NY Teacher—-not that it will be likely to bewin or interest even you much, but it will be a moral relief to me.