bethink
To think of or that; to remind oneself, to consider, to reflect uponTo think of (something or somebody) or that (followed by clause); to remind oneself, to consider, to reflect upon.
» As he stopped to bethink himself, they turned and looked eastward.
Meaning
4 senses(reflexive)To think of (something or somebody) or that (followed by clause); to remind oneself, to consider, to reflect upon.
cause oneself to consider something
(intransitive)To meditate, ponder; to consider.
consider or ponder something carefully
To determine, resolve.
(obsolete, transitive)To think about, to recollect.
Examples
2 sentencesAs he stopped to bethink himself, they turned and looked eastward.
One bethinks that they have heard enough of royalty, but yet another scandal arises.
Origin
From Middle English bethenken, bithenchen (“to think about, consider”) from Old English beFrom Middle English bethenken, bithenchen (“to think about, consider”) from Old English beþenċan, biþenċan (“to think upon, remind, consider, remember”), from Proto-Germanic *biþankijaną; equivalent to be- + think. Akin to Old High German pidenchan (German bedenken), Gothic 𐌱𐌹𐌸𐌰𐌲𐌺𐌾𐌰𐌽 (biþagkjan), Dutch bedenken.
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Forms
bethinks, bethinking, bethought, bethoughtSynonyms
27 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle