Bestow

Verb

Definition: To confer or present (an honor, right, or gift).

Synonyms: Grant, Give, Present, Confer

Antonyms: Withhold, Refuse

Examples:
  • The queen bestowed knighthood upon him.
  • The teacher bestowed a special award on the student.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "bestow" as giving someone the "best" or granting them something special.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'put in a specified condition'): from be- 'thoroughly' + stow (from Old English stōw 'condition'). It originally meant 'arrange or prepare'; current sense dates from the late 15th century.

Historical Usage:

The word evolved from the meaning of arranging or preparing something to its current definition of conferring or presenting something.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Bestow a blessing"

Explanation:

To give or grant a blessing to someone.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "bestow" with "bestrew" or "bestowal".

Explanation:

"Bestow" specifically means to confer or present something, while "bestrew" means to scatter or spread something over an area, and "bestowal" refers to the act of bestowing.

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