beshrew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very rare / ArchaicArchaic, Literary, Humorous/Archaising
Quick answer
What does “beshrew” mean?
To curse or wish evil upon someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To curse or wish evil upon someone; to blame or reproach.
Used as a mild, archaic imprecation or expression of annoyance, more often ironic or humorous than a genuine curse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern difference. The word is equally archaic and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes historical drama, Shakespeare, or playful archaism. No regional connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare and functionally obsolete in both dialects. May be encountered slightly more often in British contexts due to the preservation of older literature in education, but this is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “beshrew” in a Sentence
Beshrew + [object pronoun/noun phrase] (e.g., 'beshrew him')Beshrew + [possessive] + [noun] (e.g., 'beshrew thy heart')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beshrew” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- "Beshrew you for a knave!" he cried in his best theatrical voice.
- She would often playfully beshrew the weather when it rained on her garden.
American English
- "Beshrew me if I understand this traffic," he muttered, quoting the Bard.
- He'd beshrew his luck whenever his favorite team lost.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only used in analysis of Early Modern English literature.
Everyday
Never used in genuine communication; possible in theatrical or humorous imitation of old speech.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beshrew”
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'criticize'.
- Using it in any non-archaising context.
- Incorrect pronunciation (e.g., /biːʃruː/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic. It is only encountered in older literature (like Shakespeare) or in deliberate archaisms for stylistic effect.
Not exactly. The closest modern equivalents for the mild, exclamatory use are phrases like "confound it" or "darn it," but these lack the specific archaic and literary flavour.
It is a transitive verb. It requires an object (e.g., beshrew him, beshrew your heart).
It comes from the Middle English word 'shrewe,' meaning a wicked or evil person. 'Beshrew' originally meant 'to curse (someone) as a shrew' or to invoke evil upon them.
To curse or wish evil upon someone.
Beshrew is usually archaic, literary, humorous/archaising in register.
Beshrew: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈʃruː/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈʃruː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Beshrew me!”
- “Beshrew thy/his heart!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a witch putting a SHREW (a small, sharp-toothed animal) on someone as a curse: 'Be-SHREW-ed!'
Conceptual Metaphor
CURSING IS INVOKING A HARMFUL ANIMAL/ENTITY (from the obsolete sense of 'shrew' as a wicked person).
Practice
Quiz
In what context would the word 'beshrew' be MOST appropriate today?