behelm

behelm

English

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.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛlm

Verb

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, Schiller Institute (Washington, D.C.), Friedrich Schiller, poet of freedom:

     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.