v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bestowed p. pr. & vb. n. Bestowing. ] [ OE. bestowen; pref. be- + stow a place. See Stow. ] 1. To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put. “He bestowed it in a pouch.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

See that the women are bestowed in safety. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To expend, as money. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Empire is on us bestowed. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. 1 Cor. xiii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To give in marriage. [ 1913 Webster ]

I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman. Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by a reflexive pronoun. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in his true colors, and not ourselves be seen ? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To give; grant; present; confer; accord. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of bestowing; disposal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One that bestows. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of giving or bestowing; a conferring or bestowal. [ 1913 Webster ]

If we consider this bestowment of gifts in this view. Chauncy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is given or bestowed. [ 1913 Webster ]

They almost refuse to give due praise and credit to God's own bestowments. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To bestow improperly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of misbestowing. [ 1913 Webster ]