What does begird mean?
Begird is a literary verb meaning to surround or encircle something completely, as though binding it with a belt. A wall may begird a city, mountains may begird a valley, or — figuratively — difficulties may begird a person, closing in from all sides. The word descends from Old English, combining the prefix be- with gird, the same verb that gave us girdle and girth, so its imagery of strapping or belting is built directly into its history. Today begird is uncommon outside elevated prose, poetry, and historical narrative; most speakers would reach for surround or encircle instead. Its enduring appeal lies in that vivid, physical metaphor: to begird something is not merely to stand near it but to clasp it entirely, leaving no way out. Writers who want a note of gravity or antiquity often find it exactly right.
verbTo surround or encircle something completely, as if with a belt or band; to gird about on all sides.
- To encircle or surround something on all sides, as with a belt or band.
- (Figurative) To beset or close in upon someone or something.
"A high stone wall begirds the ancient citadel."
"Dense forests begird the lake on every side."
"The besieging army begirt the city for months before it surrendered."
Begird literally means to 'belt' a city — its root is the same Old English word that gives us girdle and girth, so when walls begird a fortress, the land is wearing a belt.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of begird
Begird comes from Middle English, formed from the prefix be- (meaning 'about, around, thoroughly') plus gird, from the Old English verb gyrdan, 'to gird, encircle with a belt.' The same Germanic root underlies related words such as girdle, girth, and garth, all conveying enclosure or binding. The compound has been used since medieval times, particularly in religious and literary prose, to describe both physical enclosure and spiritual or military siege.
Related word forms
How begird is actually used
Begird is a literary and somewhat archaic word, found chiefly in formal prose, poetry, and historical or biblical-style writing. It is rare in everyday speech; writers typically choose more common verbs such as surround or encircle unless they want an elevated, old-fashioned flavor. The past tense is usually begirded, though the older form begirt also appears, especially in poetic diction.
Easily confused with begird
Begird means to surround or encircle, while beget means to father or bring into existence offspring.