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Beseem

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An archaic verb meaning to be suitable, proper, or becoming for someone or something; often used in formal or elevated poetic diction.

Detailed Definition
Beseem means to suit, befit, or appear proper to a person, place, or occasion. It is commonly used in older poetry with an impersonal construction, as in “it beseems a king,” giving judgment a formal and elevated tone. The word can describe moral fitness as well as outward appearance, suggesting that an action accords with dignity, season, rank, or nature. Example: “Such silence beseems the chapel after rain.”
Example
Example in poetry:
The silver crown did beseem the young king; A quiet song would beseem the solemn hour; His humble cloak did not beseem a lord of such rank; “It beseems you well” means “it suits you well.”
Additional Notes
Beseem means to suit, fit, or appear appropriate to a person or situation. It is commonly followed by a noun or pronoun, as in “Such courage beseems a leader.” The related expression “it beseems him” means “it is fitting for him.” Modern alternatives include suit, befit, become, and be appropriate.
Also Known As
Befit Suit
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