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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English besayen, biseggen, from Old English beseċġan (to announce, introduce; defend, excuse oneself; accuse), from Proto-Germanic *bisagjaną, equivalent to be- (about, concerning, across) +‎ say. Cognate with Dutch bezeggen, German besagen (to say).

Verb

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besay (third-person singular simple present besays, present participle besaying, simple past and past participle besaid)

  1. To say about (someone or something); get something across verbally or by saying; relay; signify; declare.
    • 1925, Albert Payson Terhune, Najib:
      "Laughter," reproved Najib, cut to the soul by his chief's ridicule, "laughter is for hyenas — and for women! as I have besaid of often.
    • 2003, Philip Auslander, Performance: Media and technology:
      The 'besaid' are articulate with words and with silence.
    • 2005, Lara Elf Princess Prendville, Screams BeNeath Pandora:
      "How did this Elf child come to be here, Luna?", Methusem besaid. "I granted their ship permission to berth in the bay," Luna projected this with apology.

Anagrams

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