Third person singular present tense of behold; sees or looks at something, often with wonder or attention.
From Old English 'behaldan,' combining 'be-' (prefix meaning around or about) with 'haldan' (to hold). Originally meant to hold or keep, but evolved to mean to hold in view or observe.
The prefix 'be-' was incredibly productive in Middle English—it could be added to almost any verb to intensify or transform its meaning, which is why we have so many archaic 'be-' words that feel poetic today.
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