Bespend

/bɪˈspɛnd/ verb

Definition

To spend completely or lavishly on something; to exhaust one's resources.

Etymology

From Old English 'be-' (prefix) + 'spend' (from Latin 'expendere,' meaning to weigh out or pay). The prefix intensifies the verb, suggesting complete or excessive expenditure.

Kelly Says

Many 'be-' verbs have fallen out of modern English, but 'bespend' reveals how the language once had nuanced ways to talk about the intensity and completeness of actions. Today we'd just say 'spend everything,' but our ancestors had a single word that was more poetic.

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