v. Obs. (arch. in pa. pple.) Forms of pa. t. and pple. 6 benamed, bynempt, 6–9 benempt (9 benempted). [OE. benęmnan, f. BE- + nęmnan to NAME; cf. MHG., mod.G. benennen, Sw. benämna, to name. With benempt cf. inempned from name in Ancren Riwle, Trevisa, etc.]

1

  † 1.  trans. To declare or utter solemnly or on oath; to promise with an oath. Obs.

2

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. lxxxix. 3. Ic Dauide … on áð-sware ær benemde, þæt ic [etc.].

3

c. 1315.  Poem temp. Edw. II., in Pol. Songs, 327. Thouh the bishop hit wite, that hit bename kouth, He may wid a litel silver stoppen his mouth.

4

1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Nov., 46. Kidde or cosset, which I thee bynempt.

5

1615.  Crooke, Body of Man, 249. Iphis her vow benempt a Maide, But turned boy her vow she paide.

6

  † 2.  To name, mention by name. Obs. rare.

7

1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., July, 214. What is Algrin, he that is so oft bynempt?

8

  3.  With compl.: To name, call, style, describe as.

9

1580.  Sidney, Arcadia, III. 391. Hee a Courtier was benamed.

10

1748.  Thomson, Cast. Indol., II. xxxii. A fiery-footed boy, Benempt Dispatch.

11

1814.  Scott, Wav., xxx. The master smith, benempt, as his sign intimated, John Mucklewrath.

12

1832.  Blackw. Mag., XXXII. 257. A Virgin, benempted Prudence Smith.

13