different between encompass vs befang

English

Etymology

From Middle English encompassen, equivalent to en- +? compass.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?n?k?m.p?s/, /?n?k?m.p?s/, /?n?k?m.p?s/

Verb

encompass (third-person singular simple present encompasses, present participle encompassing, simple past and past participle encompassed)

1. (transitive) To form a circle around; to encircle.
2. (transitive) To include within its scope; to circumscribe or go round so as to surround; to enclose; to contain.

   Synonym: embrace

3. (transitive) To include completely; to describe fully or comprehensively.

   This book on English grammar encompasses all irregular verbs.

   Synonym: (now rare) comprehend

4. (transitive) To go around, especially, to circumnavigate.

   Drake encompassed the globe.

Related terms

• encompassment

Translations

References

• encompass in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• encompass in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Alternative forms

• befong

Etymology

From Middle English befon (past participle befangen), from Old English bef?n (“to surround, clasp, include, envelop, encase, clothe, comprehend, seize, attack (at law), lay hold of, catch, ensnare, contain, receive, conceive, explain”), equivalent to be- +? fang. Cognate with Dutch bevangen (“to seize”), Middle High German bev?hen (“to comprehend”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [b??fæ?]

Verb

befang (third-person singular simple present befangs, present participle befanging, simple past and past participle befanged)

1. (transitive, Britain dialectal, Yorkshire) To lay hold on; seize; grasp; catch; clutch.

   Come here an' I'll befang thee!

2. (intransitive, obsolete) To take hold on; begin or commence upon.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To encompass; enclose; contain; comprehend.

References

• Wright, Joseph (1898) The English Dialect Dictionary?^[1], volume 1, Oxford: Oxford University Press, page 225
• Philological Society (Great Britain), A new English dictionary on historical principles, Befong.