Definition of bestrew

Email this page to a friend

< bestow

bestride >

be·strew    (b-str) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
be·strewed, be·strewed or be·strewn  (-strn) KEY , be·strew·ing, be·strews

1. To strew (a surface) with things so as to cover it: The crowd bestrewed the streets with confetti.
2. To lie scattered over or about: Books and papers bestrewed the desk.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English bistrewen, from Old English bestrowian : be-, be- + strowian, to strew ; see strew