v.; also 3–5 bi-, by-, -cal, -kalle. [f. BE- 4, 2 + CALL v. There was app. no connection between the early and modern uses.]

1

  † 1.  trans. To accuse of. Obs.

2

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 2314. Ðis sonde hem ouertakeð raðe, And bi-calleð of harme and scaðe.

3

c. 1440.  Morte Arth. (1819), 48. Syr Mador loudeste spake The quene of treson to by-calle.

4

  † 2.  To call upon, call forth, challenge. Obs.

5

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., A 912. Neuer-þe-lese cler I you bycalle If ȝe con se hyt to be done.

6

c. 1420.  Anturs of Arth., xxxii. Here I the be-calle, For to fynde me a freke to feȝte on my fille.

7

a. 1500[?].  Eger & Grine, 693. He becalled any cristen Knight, or any 5 that with him wold fight.

8

  † 3.  To call, summon. Obs.

9

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., A. 1162. When I schulde start in þe strem astraye, Out of þat caste I watz by-calt.

10

  4.  To call names, miscall.

11

1683.  Case Consc. Symbolizing w. Ch. Rome, 12. The Devil … is conjured as before, and most wofully becalled.

12

1825.  Cobbett, Rur. Rides, 407. Not to becall the King of Spain is looked upon as a proof of want of ‘liberality.’

13