bename

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English benamen. Equivalent to be- +‎ name. Compare Middle English benemnen, from Old English benemnan, a closely related formation. Compare further Saterland Frisian benaame, German benennen, Swedish benämna, Dutch benoemen.

Verb

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bename (third-person singular simple present benames, present participle benaming, simple past benamed, past participle benamed or benempt)

  1. (obsolete, transitive) To swear on oath; to solemnly declare; promise; give.
  2. (transitive) To name; give a name (to); mention by name; nominate; denominate; call.
    • 1896, Percival Lowell, Mars:
      Unfortunately, the planet has been quite too much benamed, — benamed, indeed, out of all recognition.
    • 1994, Mervyn Sprung, After Truth: Explorations in Life Sense, SUNY Press, page 71:
      As though the benamed things carried the longings of humans;
    • 2006, Roy Ascott, Engineering Nature: Art & Consciousness in the Post-Biological Era, Intellect Books:
      In other words, [] that 'names' do not 'form' benamed objects but are mere signifiers []
  3. (transitive) To name; call; style; describe as.

Synonyms

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Translations

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Anagrams

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Dutch

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Verb

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bename

  1. (dated or formal) singular past subjunctive of benemen