umbeset

English

Etymology

From Middle English umbesetten (“to surround”), from Old English ymbsettan (“to set around, surround, beset, encompass”), from Proto-Germanic *umbi (“around”) + *satjaną (“to set”); equivalent to um- +‎ beset or umbe- +‎ set. Compare also Old English ymbsittan (“to sit around, surround”), Dutch omzetten (“to convert, transpose”), German umsetzen (“to convert, transpose, translate”). More at umbe, set.

Verb

umbeset (third-person singular simple present umbesets, present participle umbesetting, simple past umbeset, past participle umbeset or umbesetten)

1. (obsolete or dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To block, obstruct; act detrimentally toward.
   • 1828, John Spalding, The history of the troubles and memorable transactions in Scotland:

     The Lord Gordon ships with some friends. Monro umbesets his way; yet he escapes, ignorant of Monro's devyse.

   • 1891, William Robertson, Historic Ayrshire‎^[1], volume 1, page 9:

     […] to underly the law at the lext Justice-aire of Renfrew, for umbesetting the high-way, by way of Murder;

   • 1922, J. Maitland Thomson, The Public Records of Scotland, Maclehose, Jackson and co., page 48:

     […] , and pressing to have bereft them of their lives by umbesetting of the high gates to that effect at divers times of before, […]

   • 1972 (originally 1901), William Baird, General Wauchope, Books for Libraries Press, page 16:

     […] that king on one occasion, April 1535, having to grant a letter of protection in favour of him ‘and his wife and bairns’ against Sir Patrick Hepburn of Wauchtonne and thirty-four others for ‘umbesetting the highway for his slaughter.’

2. (obsolete or dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To overwhelm; cover completely.
   • 1885, John Humberger, The Conquest and Triumph of Divine Wisdom and Love in Predestination, J. L. Traiger, unmarked page:

     The Opponents Umbeset with Trickery.

   • 1952, Walter Milton, The Goad of Love, Faber & Faber, page 201:

     But soothly, of sithes the more I am umbeset with anguish of heart, and destitute of all men’s comfort, the more favourable and godly I find her to me.

   • 1971, Richard Rolle, The Fire of Love, CCEL, page 164:

     Certainly a good soul umbeset with many diseases, and noyed with the heat of temptation, can not feel the sweetness of God’s love as it is in itself;

Derived terms

• umbesetting

Related terms

• beset