v. [f. BE- 2 + FRIEND v.] trans. To act as a friend to, to help, favor; to assist, promote, further.
1559. Mirr. Mag., 613 (R.). That … you may befriend My wretched soule with quicke dispatch in death.
1607. Shaks., Timon, III. ii. 64. Will you befriend mee so farre as to vse mine owne words to him?
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 474. Be thou the first true merit to befriend.
1752. Young, Brothers, II. i. Wait an occasion that befriends your wishes.
1867. (29 June) Bright, Amer., Sp. 147. Persons … who befriended the negro in his bondage.
Hence Befriender, Befriending ppl. a., Befriendment.
1681. C. Cotton, Poet. Wks. (1765), 321. At the very first befriending Knock.
1856. Longf., Childr. Lord’s Supper, 226. Hope, the befriending, does what she can.
1856. E. A. Bond, Russia at Close 16th C. (Hakluyt Soc.), Introd. p. cxiii. Her Majesty had confidence as the befriender of her subjects.
