different between bewit vs bewist

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English biwitten, biwiten, biwitien, from Old English bewitan, bew?tan, bewitian (“to look over, watch over, take charge of, have charge or direction of, superintend, preside, govern, administer”), equivalent to be- +? wit.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /b??w?t/
• Rhymes: -?t

Verb

bewit (third-person singular simple present bewits, present participle bewitting, simple past and past participle bewitted or (archaic) bewist)

1. (transitive) To bequeath.
   • 1527, 1902, James Raine, John William Clay, Testamenta eboracensia:

     Al my other goodes afore not bewitted, my dettes paide, and my legacy fulfilled, I gyve and witto to my sones Roberte Bulmer and John Bulmer, whome I make my executors.

   • 1529, 1887, The Publications of the Surtees Society - Volume 83 - Page 302:

     I bewit to everye preiste at Saincte Egidie chapell viij d., beside dutyes of churche, to saye Mimrere Pmlvie and De Profundit for my saule.
2. (transitive) To endue or impart wit (to); instruct.

Etymology 2

From Middle English bewette, diminutive of Old French beue, bue, buie, boie (“bond, chain”), from Latin boia (“neck collar, fetter”). Compare buoy.

Alternative forms

• bewet

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?bju??t/
• Rhymes: -u??t

Noun

bewit (plural bewits)

1. A double slip of leather by which bells are fastened to a hawk's legs.

Usage notes

• Usually used in the plural form bewits.

English

Alternative forms

• biwist, bewiste, biwiste

Etymology

From Middle English biwist, biwest, from Old English b?wist (“sustenance, food, provision, necessities”), equivalent to be- +? wist (“being”), or by- +? wist (“being”). More at be-, was.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -?st

Noun

bewist

1. (now chiefly Britain dialectal) Food; provision; victual; a living.
2. (now chiefly Britain dialectal) State or condition of life.
3. (now chiefly Britain dialectal) Abiding; dwelling; sojourn; living.
4. (now chiefly Britain dialectal) Dwelling-place; abode; habitation.

Anagrams

• bewits