beschaven

Signification

1. (transitive) to civilize
2. (obsolete,transitive) to smoothen by scraping (with a plane)
3. (obsolete,transitive) to rob, to bereave

Coupé comme

be‧scha‧ven

Prononcé comme (IPA)

/bəˈsxaːvə(n)/

Étymologie

From Middle Dutch beschaven. Equivalent to be- + schaven. The sense “to civilize” developed from the sense of “to smoothen”, implying that one smoothens and polishes up a person. Compare French poli.