Obs. Forms: 3–4 bimene, 3 bemene, 4–5 bymene, 5 bemeyne, 6 beemene. [f. bi-, BE- 2 + MEAN v., OE. mǽnan; cf. OHG. bimeinan, MHG. bemeinen, with same senses.]

1

  1.  trans. To mean, signify, import.

2

a. 1300.  Havelok, 1259. Wat may this bimene.

3

c. 1340.  Cursor M. (Fairf.), 10853. Her by-thoght What this gretyng myght be-mene.

4

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., i. 4. Þan most a prelate honge the wif—what bymenyth that?

5

1502.  Arnold, Chron. (1811), 265. Yf a man aske hem [the Sarasyns] what Paradyse beemeneth, they sayn it is a place of delytis.

6

  2.  To signify or communicate to (a person). rare.

7

c. 1340.  Cursor M. (Trin.). 15495. Petur him bymened & seide þis resoun, þou shal bitrayed be lord to nyȝt.

8