besort

English

Etymology

From be- +‎ sort.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɪˈsɔː(ɹ)t/

Verb

besort (third-person singular simple present besorts, present participle besorting, simple past and past participle besorted)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To suit; fit; become.
   • c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:

     such men as may besort your age

Noun

besort (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) Something fitting or appropriate; suitable company, associates, or attendants.
   • c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:

     With such accommodation and besort / As levels with her breeding.

References

“besort”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• Boster, Stober, Tobers, borest, sorbet, strobe, tobers