bemaul: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely rare/archaicArchaic, literary, extremely formal/erudite
Quick answer
What does “bemaul” mean?
To maul or tear at.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To maul or tear at; to attack or handle roughly, often used figuratively to mean criticize harshly.
To subject to severe physical or verbal attack; to claw, tear, or criticize with excessive or brutal vigor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No discernible regional difference in usage, as the word is virtually obsolete in both dialects.
Connotations
Obsolete, archaic, often found in historical or literary contexts; might be used self-consciously for a dramatic or ironic effect.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary corpora for both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “bemaul” in a Sentence
[Subject] bemauled [Object] (passive common)[Subject] bemaul [Object] (rare, active)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bemaul” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The playwright was cruelly bemauled by the eighteenth-century critics.
- One expects the tabloids to bemaul any public figure caught in a scandal.
American English
- The new policy was bemauled by opposition leaders in a fierce debate.
- Her latest novel was bemauled in several prominent literary reviews.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistic or literary analysis of older texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bemaul”
- Using it in modern, casual contexts.
- Confusing it with 'bemoan' (to express sorrow).
- Incorrect conjugation (e.g., 'bemauled' is the standard past tense).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'bemaul' is extremely rare and considered archaic or literary. You are very unlikely to encounter it in modern everyday English.
'Maul' is the standard, current verb for attacking or handling roughly (often used for animal attacks). 'Bemaul' is an intensive, archaic form that adds a sense of thoroughness or severity, and is more commonly used in figurative contexts of harsh criticism.
Only if you are writing about historical language use or quoting from an older text. For modern critical analysis, synonyms like 'excoriate,' 'savage,' or 'lambaste' are more appropriate and understandable.
It is a transitive verb. Its past tense and past participle form is 'bemauled.'
To maul or tear at.
Bemaul is usually archaic, literary, extremely formal/erudite in register.
Bemaul: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈmɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈmɔl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bear (BE) that MAULs its prey. BE + MAUL = BEMAUL: to attack as a bear would.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS PHYSICAL VIOLENCE / AN ANIMAL ATTACK.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'bemaul' be MOST appropriate?