be ‧ set /bɪˈset/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle beset , present participle besetting ) [transitive] formal
1 . [usually passive] to make someone experience serious problems or dangers
beset somebody with/by something
The business has been beset with financial problems.
the injuries which have beset the team all season
2 . besetting sin a particular bad feature or habit – often used humorously