behold

English

/bɪˈhəʊld/, /bɪˈhoʊld/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To see or look at, esp. appreciatively; to descry, look upon.
  • (intransitive) To look.
  • (transitive) To contemplate.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English beholden inherited from Old English behealdan (observe, belong, behold, avail, occupy, gaze on, act, have, see, possess, guard, restrain, contain, keep, be cautious, look at, beware, take care, signify, effect, hold, preserve, behave, consider) inherited from *bihaldaną (keep, hold with) prefix from English hold (game won by the server, hold an opinion, deem).

Origin

English

hold

Gloss

game won by the server, hold an opinion, deem

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms