bestow

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To apply or make use of (someone or something); to employ, to use.
2. (obsolete, specifically, transitive) To apply or make use of (someone or something); to employ, to use.
3. (transitive) To impart (something) gratuitously; to present (something) to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; to confer, to give, to accord; to render.
4. (archaic, transitive) To place or put (someone or something) somewhere or in a certain situation; to dispose of.
5. (archaic, transitive) To deposit (something) for safekeeping; to lay up (something) in store; to stow.
6. (also, archaic, reflexive, transitive) To provide (someone or oneself) with accommodation; to find quarters for (someone or oneself); to lodge, to quarter.
7. (obsolete, reflexive, transitive) To behave or conduct (oneself); to acquit.
8. (also, obsolete, reflexive, transitive) To give (someone or oneself) in marriage.

Noun

An act of presenting a thing to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; a bestowal.

Synonyms

give

grant

confer

present

award

donate

accord

allot

contribute

endow

impart

give away

offer

hand out

distribute

lend

assign

allow

reward

yield

render

mete

add

bring

deliver

ascribe

consecrate

admit

favour

apply

confer upon

vouchsafe

extend

provide

permit

dispense

devote

afford

hand over

dedicate

gift

🎁

supply

cover

consign

consent

affirm

confess

favor

fasten

concede

Translations

conceder

conférer

accorder

otorgar

conferire

concedere

verleihen

schenken

donner

conferir

απονέμω

conceder

conferir

attribuer

παραχωρώ

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɪˈstəʊ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bestowen

In summary

PIE word
*h₁epi
The verb is derived from Middle English bestowen, bistouen, bistowen (“to give, bestow; to apply (something to something else); to arrange or have control over (something); to place (someone) in a position; to use (for some purpose); (reflexive) to find (oneself) a place to live or shelter”) [and other forms], from bi- (prefix forming verbs, often with a completive, figurative, or intensive meaning) + stouen, stowen (“to pack (cargo) in a ship, stow; to place (someone) in a certain position; to provide quarters for, lodge; etc.”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to place; to stand (up)”)). The English word is analysable as be- (intensifying prefix forming verbs) + stow (“to put (something) away in a suitable place; etc.”).
The noun is derived from the verb.