Behealdan

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Old English verb meaning to look upon, gaze at or observe something ; to keep watch over someone or something in order to protect it
2. An Old English verb for regarding or examining something with the eyes ; a verb for watching over and guarding a person or thing
3. Meaning to gaze upon or take notice of something ; meaning to keep guard over and protect someone or something from harm

Etymology: Behealdan is an Old English verb, meaning "to hold" in the sense of keeping something in view, guarding it, or keeping possession of it. It is built from the prefix "be-" and the verb "healdan," which is the ancestor of modern English "hold." The prefix "be-" here intensifies or directs the action, so the compound carries the sense of holding about, or holding onto, a thing. Because "healdan" is the older and more common verb, "behealdan" is a close relative of "behold," which developed from the same root. Over the centuries, though, "behealdan" itself dropped out of use, and the surviving English word "behold" took on the meaning of looking at something, especially something striking or impressive. Its earlier sense of holding in the mind or keeping watch faded.