v. Obs. Forms: 1–3 befón, 3 bifon, -von; 1–3 be-, bifeng. Pa. pple. 1–3 be-, bifongen, 3 biuonge. [OE. befón:—*befa(n)han (pa. pple. befangen), f. BE- about + *fanhan, fón to seize, grasp. Corresp. to mod.G. befangen, OHG. pifâhan, MHG. bevân to comprehend.]
1. trans. To lay hold on, seize, grasp, catch.
a. 1000. Cædmon’s Gen., 374 (Gr.). Habbaþ me helle clommas fæste befangen.
c. 1160. Hatton Gosp., Matt. xxii. 15. Hyo wolden þanne Hælend on his sprace befon.
1250. Lay., 830. Þer Brutus bifenge; al þat him bifore was.
2. intr. To take hold on, begin or commence upon. (Cf. Ger. anfangen.)
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 143. Þo þe hadden here sinnes forleten and bet, oðer þar-on biuonge.
3. trans. To encompass, enclose, comprehend.
971. Blickl. Hom., 5. God Fæder Sunu, þone ne maʓon befón heofon and eorþe.
c. 1205. Lay., 24748. Mid æne bende of golde; ælc hafde his hæfd biuonge.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 76. Þe Louerd, þat al þe world ne muhte nout biuon.
