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bestow

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The definition of bestow means to give as a gift or to give time or effort to something.

(verb)

An example of bestow is to give a medal to the class valedictorian.
An example of bestow is to put more time into writing class papers.

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See bestow in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to give or present as a gift: often with on or upon
to apply; devote: to bestow much time on a project
Archaic to put or place, as in storage
Archaic to provide lodgings for; house
Obsolete to give in marriage

Origin: ME bistowen: see be- & stow

Related Forms:

bestowal noun

See bestow in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb be·stowed, be·stow·ing, be·stows

To present as a gift or an honor; confer: bestowed high praise on the winners.
To apply; use: “On Hester Prynne's story . . . I bestowed much thought” (Nathaniel Hawthorne).
To place or stow: “He bestowed [the money]in his pockets with feigned composure” (James Joyce).
To store or house.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English bistowen

Origin: : bi-, be-

Origin: + stowen, to place; see stow

.

Related Forms:

be·stowˈa·ble adjective

be·stowˈal, be·stowˈment noun

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