behelm

verb — 2 senses

behelm

verb

Etymology 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.

1

To cover; cover over.

  • And hundred-folded Briareus, and Lerna's Worm of dread Fell hissing; and Chimaera's length and fire-behelmed head, [...]1876, Virgil, William Morris, Cedric Chivers, The Aeneids of Virgil:
  • He went to the Thing in gold-reddened helm, and all his company was behelmed.1895, Eiríkr Magnússon, William Morris, The Saga library:
2

To cover as with a helm or helmet.

  • Stepped forth a virgin, with behelmed head Like to a martial goddess, fair at once And dreadful to behold; [...]1985, Friedrich Schiller, Friedrich Schiller, poet of freedom, Washington, D.C.: Schiller Institute:
  • 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.1998, Margaret Bent, Andrew Wathey, Fauvel studies:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.