Bedimmed

/bɪˈdɪmd/ verb (past tense)

Definition

Made dim or less bright; obscured or darkened.

Etymology

From 'be-' (a prefix meaning 'to make' or 'to cover') + 'dimmed' (past tense of dim, from Old English 'dim' meaning dark or obscure). The prefix was commonly used in Middle English to create verbs from adjectives.

Kelly Says

This is a rare 'be-' verb that shows how English used to be much more productive with this prefix—speakers could create verbs from almost any adjective! Today we say 'dimmed' instead, but 'bedimmed' survives in poetry and older texts as a more literary, dramatic way to describe something losing its brightness.

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