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. [ 1913 Webster ] See that the women are bestowed in safety. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To expend, as money. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or upon. [ 1913 Webster ] Empire is on us bestowed. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ] Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. 1 Cor. xiii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. To give in marriage. [ 1913 Webster ] I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman. Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. To demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by a reflexive pronoun. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in his true colors, and not ourselves be seen ? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To give; grant; present; confer; accord. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
