behelm

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English *behelmen, from Old English behelmian (to cover over), equivalent to be- +‎ helm. Related to Old English helan (to cover). More at hele.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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behelm (third-person singular simple present behelms, present participle behelming, simple past and past participle behelmed)

  1. (transitive) To cover; cover over.
    • 1876, Virgil, William Morris, Cedric Chivers, The Aeneids of Virgil:
      And hundred-folded Briareus, and Lerna's Worm of dread Fell hissing; and Chimaera's length and fire-behelmed head, [...]
    • 1895, Eiríkr Magnússon, William Morris, The Saga library:
      He went to the Thing in gold-reddened helm, and all his company was behelmed.
  2. (transitive) To cover as with a helm or helmet.
    • 1985, Friedrich Schiller, Friedrich Schiller, poet of freedom, Washington, D.C.: Schiller Institute:
      Stepped forth a virgin, with behelmed head Like to a martial goddess, fair at once And dreadful to behold; [...]
    • 1998, Margaret Bent, Andrew Wathey, Fauvel studies:
      Now come the days for fighting to the finish, bemail thy body and behelm thy head; Rally all those that desert thee, and put away forests and dice.