To make loud or excessive noise; to create a clamor or commotion.
From Middle English and Old English roots meaning 'to roar' or 'to make noise,' related to the verb 'bell' (to ring loudly). The prefix 'be-' intensifies the base meaning, similar to how 'besmirch' intensifies 'smirch.'
The 'be-' prefix in English was incredibly productive in Old English for turning adjectives and nouns into intensive verbs—'befriend,' 'bedazzle,' 'bewilder' all work this way. Belar shows how this ancient word-building pattern could create new verbs from simple roots to express exaggeration or excess.
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