v. Obs. Forms: 1 bifian, befian, byfian, beofian, 3 beouien, buuien, biuien. [Com. Teut.: OE. bifian = OS. biƀon (MDu., Du. beven), OHG. bibên (MHG. biben, mod.G. beben), ON. bifa:—OTeut. *biƀai-, identified by Kluge with Skr. bibhêmi, reduplicated pres. of bhî to fear. Cf. BEE, BEVER v.2] intr. To shake, tremble.

1

c. 888.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxv. § 6. Þa wudas bifodon.

2

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. xcv[i]. 9. For his ansyne sceal eorðe beofian.

3

c. 1160.  Hatton Gosp., Matt. xxvii. 51. Syo eorðe befode [v.r. byfode], and stanes toburston.

4

c. 1205.  Lay., 23530. Burhmen gunnen beouien [1250 buuie]. Ibid., 28084. Þa gon ich to biuien; swulc ich al fur burne.

5

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 2280. Wot ic ðor mon ðat he ne biueð.

6