befang

Meaning

Verb

• To lay hold on; seize; grasp; catch; clutch.
• To take hold on; begin or commence upon.
• To encompass; enclose; contain; comprehend.

Origin

• From Middle English befon (past participle befangen), from Old English befōn ("to surround, clasp, include, envelop, encase, clothe, comprehend, seize, attack (at law), lay hold of, catch, ensnare, contain, receive, conceive, explain"), equivalent to be- + fang. Cognate with Dutch bevangen ("to seize"), Middle High German bevāhen ("to comprehend").