v. Obs. Forms: 1 behréowsian, 2 bireusien, 3 bireowsen, Orm. bireowwsenn, -rewwsenn, bi-, byreusy(e. [OE. behréowsian, f. BE- + hréowsian to be sorry: cf. MHG. beriuwesen, beriusen to be sorry for.]
1. trans. To be sorry for, repent of (a sin, etc.).
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gram., xxxiii. 207. Pœnitere, behréowsjan.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 97. Þa þet heore sunnan bireusiað.
c. 1200. Ormin, 13631. Birewwseþþ inn hiss herrte … hiss missdede.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 43. Ac senne … To bi-reusy he proveth.
2. To feel sorry for, have pity on (a person).
c. 1275. Sinners Beware, 341, in O. E. Misc., 83. Þe milde and þe clene … Nulleþ heo neuer ene By-reusy ne bimene.
