[f. prec., where see forms.] Besprinkled.
a. with moisture of any kind, or dust.
c. 1368. Chaucer, Compl. Pity, 10. To Pite ran I all bespreynt [v.r. besprente] with teres.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 269/1. Thre stones besprenct with his bloode. Ibid., 353/1. Stones bespryncte and specled as it were with blood.
1535. Joye, Apol. Tindale (Arb.), 17. Euen unto the bespreigned bloude.
1561. J. Heywood, Seneca’s Herc. Furens (1581), 19. My body thus with wicked bloud besprinct.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Nov., 111. Morne now my muse … with teares besprint.
1634. Milton, Comus, 542. Knot-grass dew-besprent.
a. 1866. Longf., Sir Christopher, 133. His boots with dust and mire besprent.
b. with points, or objects dotted about: Strewed.
1556. Abp. Parker, Psalter cii[i]. My soule with cares was full besprenct.
1837. Wordsw., At Vallombrosa. The flower-besprent meadows.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 162. The tawdry tent … besprent with hearts and darts.
2. Scattered, strewed about.
1567. Maplet, Gr. Forest, 15. Having certain blottes besprent upon it.
1870. Morris, Earthly Par., II. III. 139. He lay upon the flowers besprent about.
