To place a crown upon someone's head, or to honor someone by making them a ruler.
From 'be-' (to cause or make) plus 'crown' (from Latin 'corona', meaning a circular garland or royal headpiece). Originally used in coronation ceremonies to mean literally placing the crown, then expanded to mean conferring royal status.
This word shows how English loved ceremony and drama—instead of just saying 'crown,' medieval people could say 'becrown' to make it sound more like an action being done TO someone rather than just placing an object, giving it a more solemn, formal feel.
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