be-

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Prefix 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Derived terms 2 Dutch 2.1 Prefix 2.1.1 Derived terms 2.1.2 See also 3 German 3.1 Pronunciation 3.2 Prefix 3.2.1 Usage notes 3.2.2 Derived terms 4 Hungarian 4.1 Pronunciation 4.2 Prefix 4.3 See also 4.4 References 5 Limburgish 5.1 Etymology 5.2 Pronunciation 5.3 Prefix 5.3.1 Usage notes 6 Old English 6.1 Etymology 6.2 Pronunciation 6.3 Prefix

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English, from Old English be-.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /bɪ/, /bi/, SAMPA: /bI/, /bi/

[edit] Prefix

be-

1. (no longer productive) As an intensifier; i.e. thoroughly, excessively.

   bedazzle, bestir, bewail

2. (no longer productive) On, around, over or in contact with something.
3. (no longer productive) Forming verbs derived from nouns or from adjectives.

   from nouns: befriend, behead, benight

   from adjectives: bedim, bewet

4. (archaic or informal) Used to intensify adjectives meaning "adorned with something" often those with the suffix -ed.

   besequined, befeathered, beclawed, bewebbed, betasseled

[edit] Usage notes

• In its sole remaining productive sense it is readily understood by readers (rarely, listeners) because it adds little meaning to the adjectives it precedes, themselves often nouns besuffixed with -ed.

[edit] Derived terms

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[edit] Dutch

[edit] Prefix

be- Non-separable

1. Used to indicate that a verb is acting on a direct object (making the verb transitive).

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] See also

• Category:Dutch words prefixed with be-

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[edit] German

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /bə/

[edit] Prefix

be-

1. Inseparable verbal prefix that signifies working on something or change of state.
2. Inseparable verbal prefix that signifies touching the object.
3. Inseparable verbal prefix that signifies discussing or mentioning the object.

[edit] Usage notes

• The verb with this prefix takes very often a direct object (i.e., an object in the accusative case).

[edit] Derived terms

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[edit] Hungarian

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbɛ/

[edit] Prefix

be-

1. A verb particle or prefix indicating actions with inward direction.

[edit] See also

• Category:Hungarian words prefixed with be-

[edit] References

• w:Hungarian verbs#Verb particles /prefixes (igekötők)

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[edit] Limburgish

[edit] Etymology

Germanic.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /bə/

[edit] Prefix

be-

1. Inseparable verbal prefix that signifies working on something or change of state.
2. Inseparable verbal prefix that signifies touching the object.
3. Inseparable verbal prefix that signifies discussing or mentioning the object.

[edit] Usage notes

• The verb with this prefix takes very often a direct object (i.e., an object in the accusative case).

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[edit] Old English

[edit] Etymology

An unstressed form of bī.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /be/, SAMPA: /be/

[edit] Prefix

be-

1. A productive prefix usually used to form verbs and adjectives, especially:

   • verbs with the sense "around, throughout",
   • transitive verbs from intransitive verbs, adjectives and nouns.