bə̇ˈhōld, bē- verb
( be·held -held ; beheld “ ; or archaic be·hold·en -hōldən ; beholding ; beholds )
Etymology: Middle English beholden to hold, keep, behold, from Old English behaldan, behealdan, from be- + haldan, healdan to hold — more at hold
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to look at : examine closely : watch
2. : to receive the impression of through or as if through visual means : see intently and fully : apprehend , experience
the author beholds life on earth as molded by forces that are blindly mechanical
a truth … so central that it shall commend itself to the eye at whatever angle beholden — R.W.Emerson
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : look
2. — used in the imperative as an interjection especially to call attention
behold , he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him — Revelations 1: 7 (Authorized Version)
Synonyms: see see