v. Obs. [OE. tobéatan, f. TO-2 + béatan, BEAT v.1 So MHG. ze-, zerbôʓen.] trans. To beat to pieces, to destroy by beating (OE.); to beat severely, belabor, thrash. Often emphasized by all (ALL C. 14). Also absol. or intr.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., IV. xiii. § 3. & Scipia het ealle þa burʓ toweorpan, & ælcne hiewestan tobeatan.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron., an. 1009 (Laud MS.). Þa com him swilc wind onʓean … and þa scipo ða ealle to beot.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 1610. An euer euch man … me mid stone and lugge þreteþ, An me to-busteþ and to-beteþ.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 283. Mi wofull harte is so tobete.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 1846 (Trin.). Þe wawes to bote bifore & bihynde.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., V. cxxii. 99. He was all to betyn and arrayed in moost vyle maner.
