v. Obs. Forms: Inf. 1 beswícan, 2–4 biswike(n, 4 by-, beswyke(n, (bisuike, bisquyke), 5 bi-, byswyke, (beeswik). Pa. t. 1 beswác, 2–3 biswak, (3–4 -suak), 3–5 -swok(e. Pa. pple. 1–3 biswicen, 2–5 -swiken, 4–5 -swike. [OE. beswícan to evade, betray, deceive, = OS. biswîcan, OHG. biswîhhan (MHG. beswîchen), f. BE- 1 + swícan:—OTeut. *swîqan to cease, go away, leave off.]
trans. To betray, cheat, deceive.
971. Blickl. Hom., 5. Deofol … beswac þone ærestan wifmon.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxiv. 4. Warniað þæt eow nan ne beswice [1160 Hatton beswike].
a. 1240. Lofsong, in Lamb. Hom., 213. Þat te hope of ham bi-swoc me.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3861. He ben bi-swiken.
c. 1300. Cursor M., 818. Þe find … bi-suak adam. Ibid., 19231. Ilk suik it-self bisuikes.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 4164. Y wil ȝou noȝt be-swyke.
1470. Harding, Chron., clxxviii. Sir Archbald Douglas and erle Patrike … their kyng thought to bee swik.
Beswiker (in 4 bezuikere), deceiver; Beswiking vbl. sb., cheating, deception.
1340. Ayenb., 23. Bezuykynges and euel red and uele oþre zennes. Ibid., 171. Ase his þyef, ase his manslaȝþe, ase his bezuykere.
