Bethink Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bethink

[bษชหˆฮธษชล‹k ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

think about

To bethink is to think carefully or to consider something thoughtfully. It often implies a reflective process where one weighs options or contemplates consequences. In literature, it can suggest a moment of deep introspection. The term is somewhat archaic and is not commonly used in modern conversation but may appear in historical texts or poetry.

Synonyms

consider, contemplate, ponder, reflect.

Examples of usage

  • I must bethink myself before making a decision.
  • He needed to bethink the implications of his actions.
  • She was told to bethink of the advice given to her earlier.

Translations

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Origin of 'bethink'

The word 'bethink' originates from the Middle English term 'bethinken' which is a combination of 'be' and 'think'. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English 'beรพencan', which means 'to think of' or 'to realize'. This Old English root is comprised of 'be-' a prefix of state, and 'รพencan', meaning 'to think'. Over centuries, the usage of 'bethink' has decreased, and the term is now considered somewhat archaic. While it was commonly used in earlier forms of English literature, its modern equivalents like 'consider' or 'reflect' have taken precedence in contemporary usage.