bework

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To work around or about; surround.
  2. To work, as with thread; embroider.
  3. To work over; rework; edit.

Pronunciation

/bɪˈwɜːk/ /bəˈwɜːk/ /biˈwɜːk/ /bɪˈwɝk/ /bəˈwɝk/ /biˈwɝk/

Word forms

bework beworks beworking beworked bewrought

Etymology

From Middle English bewurchen, from Old English bewyrċean, bewyrċan (“to work, construct, surround with, enclose, cover, work in, insert, adorn”), from Proto-Germanic *bi- + *wirkijaną (“to work”), equivalent to be- + work. Cognate with North Frisian bewerke (“to bework, edit”), Dutch bewerken (“to work, manipulate”), German bewirken (“to bring about, effect”), Danish bevirke (“to cause”). More at be-, work.

Related words

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