besay

From Middle English besayen, biseggen, from Old English beseċġan (“to announce, introduce; defend, excuse oneself; accuse”), from Proto-Germanic *bisagjaną, equivalent to be- (“about, concerning, across”) +‎ say. Cognate with Dutch bezeggen, German besagen (“to say”).

besay (third-person singular simple present besays, present participle besaying, simple past and past participle besaid)

1. To say about (someone or something); get something across verbally or by saying; relay; signify; declare.
   • 1925, Albert Payson Terhune, Najib:

     "Laughter," reproved Najib, cut to the soul by his chief's ridicule, "laughter is for hyenas — and for women! as I have besaid of often.

   • 2003, Philip Auslander, Performance: Media and technology:

     The 'besaid' are articulate with words and with silence.

   • 2005, Lara Elf Princess Prendville, Screams BeNeath Pandora:

     "How did this Elf child come to be here, Luna?", Methusem besaid. "I granted their ship permission to berth in the bay," Luna projected this with apology.

• Basey, Basye, Bayes, absey, abyes, eBays