Obs. Also 6–7 beteeme, 7 beteam(e, betemme, (erron. beterme). [App. f. BE- 2 + TEEM, to think fit; but the rarity of the simple vb., and its non-occurrence in ME. or OE. (though in OS. teman, OHG. zeman) raise historical difficulties of which there is at present no solution. Beteem is parallel to Du. betamen.]
1. trans. To think fit or proper; to vouchsafe, grant, consent. Const. inf. or obj. clause.
1565. Golding, Ovid’s Met., X. 157 (R.). Yet could he not beteeme The shape of any other bird than eagle for to seeme.
1641. Milton, Animadv., Wks. 1738, I. 95. He could have well beteem’d to have thank’d him of the ease he profer’d.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 170. He cannot beteame to promote his Master’s with the losse of his owne.
1647. Ward, Simp. Cobler, 25. Gray Gravity it selfe can well beteam, That Language be adapted to the Theme.
2. To vouchsafe, accord, grant, concede. (Const. To beteem a person a thing, a thing to a possessor.)
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., I. i. 131. Raine, which I could well Beteeme them, from the tempest of mine eyes.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 53. Still I can beteame thee that same loue, if thou wert not weary of it.
1654. Trapp, Comm. Ezra i. 6. David … could beteeme God more love and service then he is able to bestow.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 108. We can no more betemme wholeness to the one, than to the other.
b. To allow, permit (to do something). rare.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. ii. 141. That he might not beteene [v.r. beteeme] the windes … Visit her face too roughly.
3. To think (a person) worthy, to admit the worth of.
1627. W. Sclater, Expos. 2 Thess. (1632), 221. Grace may be emulous, is not envious; easily, willingly, fainely beteemes another.
