belave

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English bilaven (“to wash all over”), from bi-, be- + laven (“to wash, pour water on”), equivalent to be- +‎ lave.

Verb

1. (transitive) To lave or wash about; wash all over; wash.

Etymology 2

Anomalous alteration of beleve (“to remain, be alive”) and belive (“to remain, stay”), both from Middle English beliven (“to remain”), from Old English belīfan (“to remain”), from Proto-Germanic *bilībaną (“to remain”). More at belive, leave.

Verb

1. (archaic, intransitive) to remain, continue; to belay
2. (archaic, intransitive) to be alive

Related terms

• belive