Bestraddle

/bɪˈstræd.əl/ verb

Definition

To straddle over or stand astride over something.

Etymology

From the prefix 'be-' plus 'straddle' (which may derive from the stride position or from Old English 'strægdan'). The 'be-' prefix emphasizes the state of straddling.

Kelly Says

Most 'be-' verbs have fallen out of use, but 'bestraddle' is especially rare—yet it follows a clear logical pattern, showing how speakers could create new words on the fly by adding 'be-' to any verb, even though most of these creations never stuck around.

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