v. Obs. For forms see WIN. [ME. biwinnen, f. bi-, BE- + winnen to WIN.] To gain, to win, get possession of.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 41. Hwa erest bi-won reste þam wrecche saule.
c. 1205. Lay., 25067. He biwon [c. 1250 biwan] Rome.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 228. Þe tur nis nout asailed, ne þe castel, ne þe cite hwon heo beoð biwunnen.
c. 1325. Chron. Eng., 465, in Ritson, Met. Rom., II. 289. With is host … Engeland to bywynne.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 323. Of alle þat grete tresoure þat euer he biwan.
a. 1400[?]. MS. Camb., v. 48. 24. Þat catell was wo begon, So be-wunne was neuer non.
