belave

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English bilaven (to wash all over), from bi-, be- + laven (to wash, pour water on), from Old English lafian, ġelafian (to pour water on, refresh), from Proto-Germanic *labōną (to refresh, strengthen), from Proto-Indo-European *lōbh- (to strengthen oneself, rest), equivalent to be- + lave. Cognate with Dutch laven (to refresh), German laben (to refresh). More at lave.

Verb

belave (third-person singular simple present belaves, present participle belaving, simple past and past participle belaved)

  1. (transitive) To lave or wash about; wash all over; wash.

Etymology 2

Anomalous alteration of beleve (to remain, be alive) and belive (to remain, stay), both from Middle English beliven (to remain), from Old English belīfan (to remain), from Proto-Germanic *bilībaną (to remain), from Proto-Indo-European *lip- (to stick, glue). Cognate with Dutch blijven (to remain), German bleiben (to remain). More at belive, leave.

Verb

belave (third-person singular simple present belaves, present participle belaving, simple past and past participle belaved)

  1. (archaic, intransitive) to remain, continue; to belay
  2. (archaic, intransitive) to be alive
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