To denounce publicly or proclaim something shameful; to cry out against.
From 'be-' (meaning thoroughly or all around) plus 'cry' (from Old French 'crier', meaning to call out loudly). Originally meant to cry out about or proclaim loudly, often in condemnation.
Medieval town criers would 'becry' important news or criminal sentences—it's the idea of making something known throughout the town, so 'becry' is more powerful than just 'cry' because the 'be-' suggests it's being announced widely and repeatedly, not just once.
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