[ME., f. BE- 1 + SPOT v.] trans. To cover or mark over the surface with spots; to cover with blots or blemishes. Hence Bespotted ppl. a., Bespottedness sb., Bespotting vbl. sb.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., III. iv. 73. Whan þei byspotten and defoulen dignites wiþ hire vylenie.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, A vij. The vessel of siluer whiche was foully bespottyd of the donghylle.
1532. More, Confut. Barnes, VIII. Wks. 802/2. Theyr continuall newe byspottyng and wrinclyng.
1622. Heylin, Cosmogr., II. (1682), 213. Marble curiously bespotted.
1684. Charnock, Attrib. God., I. 331. It soils our duties, and bespots our souls.
1720. Rowe, Amb. Step-Mother, V. i. 78. Com’st thou bespotted with the recent slaughter?
1814. Wordsw., Excurs., VII. 788. The Danube … like a serpent, shows his glittering back Bespotted—with innumerable isles.
a. 1882. Sir R. Christison, Autobiog., I. xviii. 349. The degree of the Sun’s bespottedness.
