bestow

== English == === Etymology === The verb is derived from Middle English bestowen, bistouen, bistowen (“to give, bestow; to apply (something to something else); to arrange or have control over (something); to place (someone) in a position; to use (for some purpose); (reflexive) to find (oneself) a place to live or shelter”) [and other forms], from bi- (prefix forming verbs, often with a completive, figurative, or intensive meaning) + stouen, stowen (“to pack (cargo) in a ship, stow; to place (someone) in a certain position; to provide quarters for, lodge; etc.”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to place; to stand (up)”)). The English word is analysable as be- (intensifying prefix forming verbs) +‎ stow (“to put (something) away in a suitable place; etc.”). The noun is derived from the verb. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /bɪˈstəʊ/ (General American) IPA(key): /bɪˈstoʊ/ (Scotland) IPA(key): /bɪˈsto/ (Wales, without the toe–tow merger) IPA(key): /bɪˈstou/ Rhymes: -əʊ Hyphenation: be‧stow === Verb === bestow (third-person singular simple present bestows, present participle bestowing, simple past and past participle bestowed) (transitive) To apply or make use of (someone or something); to employ, to use. (specifically, obsolete) To apply (money) for some purpose; to expend, to spend. Synonym: lay out To impart (something) gratuitously; to present (something) to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; to confer, to give, to accord; to render. (archaic) To place or put (someone or something) somewhere or in a certain situation; to dispose of. To deposit (something) for safekeeping; to lay up (something) in store; to stow. (also reflexive) To provide (someone or oneself) with accommodation; to find quarters for (someone or oneself); to lodge, to quarter. Synonyms: house, put up (obsolete) (reflexive) To behave or conduct (oneself); to acquit. (also reflexive) To give (someone or oneself) in marriage. ==== Conjugation ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === bestow (plural bestows) (obsolete, rare) An act of presenting a thing to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; a bestowal. Synonyms: bestowing, bestowment === References === === Anagrams === betows, bowest