BELDAM; BELDAME
Bel"dam Bel"dame, n. Etym: [Pref. bel-, denoting relationship + dame
mother: cf. F. belledame fair lady, It. belladonna. See Belle, and
Dame.]
1. Grandmother; — corresponding to belsire. To show the beldam daughters of her daughter. Shak.
2. An old woman in general; especially, an ugly old woman; a hag. Around the beldam all erect they hang. Akenside.
BELEAGUER
Be*lea"guer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beleaguered; p. pr. & vb. n.
Beleaguering.] Etym: [D. belegeren (akin to G. belagern, Sw. belägra,
Dan. beleire); pref. be- = E. be- + leger bed, camp, army, akin to E.
lair. See Lair.]
Defn: To surround with an army so as to preclude escape; to besiege;
to blockade.
The wail of famine in beleaguered towns. Longfellow.
Syn.
— To block up; environ; invest; encompass.
BELEAGUERER
Be*lea"guer*er, n.
Defn: One who beleaguers.
BELEAVE
Be*leave", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Beleft.]
Defn: To leave or to be left. [Obs.] May.