To strike or whip intensely and repeatedly with a lash or whip.
From 'be-' (intensive prefix) plus 'lash' (a flexible striking implement). This combines the prefix pattern we see in 'berate' and 'besmite' with the noun 'lash' to create a verb meaning excessive whipping or beating.
The 'be-' prefix shows up in verbs describing abuse—'belabor,' 'berate,' 'belash'—revealing how English speakers created words for excessive or emphatic actions by doubling down with this ancient intensifier.
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