besay
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English besayen, biseggen, from Old English beseċġan (“to announce, introduce; defend, excuse oneself; accuse”), from Proto-Germanic *bisagjaną, equivalent to be- (“about, concerning, across”) + say. Cognate with Dutch bezeggen, German besagen (“to say”).
Verb edit
besay (third-person singular simple present besays, present participle besaying, simple past and past participle besaid)
- To say about (someone or something); get something across verbally or by saying; relay; signify; declare.
- 1925, Albert Payson Terhune, Najib:
- "Laughter," reproved Najib, cut to the soul by his chief's ridicule, "laughter is for hyenas — and for women! as I have besaid of often.
- 2003, Philip Auslander, Performance: Media and technology:
- The 'besaid' are articulate with words and with silence.
- 2005, Lara Elf Princess Prendville, Screams BeNeath Pandora:
- "How did this Elf child come to be here, Luna?", Methusem besaid. "I granted their ship permission to berth in the bay," Luna projected this with apology.