Bestow
Verb
Definition: To confer or present (an honor, right, or gift).
Synonyms: Grant, Give, Present, Confer
Antonyms: Withhold, Refuse
- The queen bestowed knighthood upon him.
- The teacher bestowed a special award on the student.
- Think of "bestow" as giving someone the "best" or granting them something special.
Etymology:
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:
"Bestow a blessing"
Explanation:To give or grant a blessing to someone.
Misconceptions:
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.