Be*stow" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Bestowed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Bestowing.] [OE. bestowen; pref. be- + stow a
place. See Stow.] 1. To lay up in store; to
deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put. "He
bestowed it in a pouch." Sir W. Scott.
See that the women are bestowed in safety.
Byron.
2. To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength
in some occupation.
3. To expend, as money. [Obs.]
4. To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or
upon.
Empire is on us bestowed.
Cowper.
Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor.
1 Cor. xiii. 3.
5. To give in marriage.
I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman.
Tatler.
6. To demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by
a reflexive pronoun. [Obs.]
How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in
his true colors, and not ourselves be seen ?
Shak.
Syn. -- To give; grant; present; confer; accord.
