v. Obs. In later use Sc. Forms: α. 4– umbeset, 4–5 vmbesette, 5–6 -set(t, wmbeset, 6 -sett, 6 ombeset(t; 4 umbisett(e, 4 vmbi-, 5 vmbysett. β. 5 vnbesette, 6–7 -set, 6 unbeset, wnbesett. [See UMBE- and BESET v., and cf. umbset s.v. UMB- and UMSET v. So MDu. omme-, ombeset p.p., MDa. ombesat p.p.] trans. To surround, encompass, beset.
α. a. 1300. Cursor M., 7179. Þai vmbisett þat tun a-bute. Ibid., 19775. Petre … to þis licam com þat lai, Wit pouer widus vm-bi-sett.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, VI. 535. The kyng wes in gret iuperdy, That wes on athir syde vmbeset With fayis. Ibid., IX. 706. He till the hous went hastely, And vmbeset it all about.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 48. Þe auter is vmbeset wiþ stonis.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, V. 168. At syndry furdis the gait thai vmbeset.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, XI. xiv. 22. Quhou huge dolfnes, and schamful cowardice, Hes ombeset ȝour myndis apon sik wys.
c. 1550. Rolland, Crt. Venus, I. 113. With Iacinth fine, and Topazion sa fair,… Was vmbeset his body ouir all quhair.
1587. Reg. Privy Counc. Scot., IV. 162. Thai … umbesettis thair hie wayes in thair ganging and cuming fra thair parroche kirk.
β. c. 1440. Gesta Rom., lxv. 281 (Add. MS.). Whan the Steward was thus vnbesette with thise iij. bestes, he was right sory.
a. 1575. Diurn. Occurr. (Bann. Cl.), 168. Certane personis … quha was werry bent to haue vnbesett him in the waij betuix Edinburgh and Berwick.
1582–8. Hist. James VI. (1804), 112. Thairfoir Lord Claud Hamiltoun unbeset the way with sum chosen men.
1624. in Abbotsford Club Misc., 144. Thomas Logie … meitting ane number of cattis … quhilk vnbesett him, the said Thomas saw ȝour face vpoun ane of [the] cattis.
Hence † Umbesetting vbl. sb. Obs.
1543. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., VIII. 244. To underly the law for thair tressonable umbesetting of the gait. Ibid. (1551), X. 35. To have underlyne the lawis for unbesetting of the said Alexander Cummyng of Alteir gait.
1624. in Abbotsford Club Misc., 144. Anent the vnbesetting of the cattis.
