(a) Aware (of sth., an event, a fact, etc.), mindful; also, with clause introduced by that: aware (that sth. is so) [quot. c1425]; ~ of him (hem), aware of his (their) presence; nought ~ of, unsuspecting of (a coming event); (b) informed, knowledgeable, knowing; ben ~, to know, be cognizant; also, with clause: know (that sth. is so, what sth. means, etc.); ben ~ of, know about (sb. or sth.), have knowledge of, be familiar with; maken ~ of, give (sb.) knowledge of (sth.), inform about; (c) ben ~ , to be aware of (sth., how sth. is, what one does).

(a) Suddenly conscious, alerted; ben (worthen) ~, to perceive something visually or intellectually, notice; take note; ben (worthen) ~ of, catch sight of (sb. or sth.), see, perceive visually, notice; take note of (sb. or sth.); learn of (sth.), discover; realize (sth.); also with that clause as obj. of prep. [quots. ?c1200 & c1391]; er he be ~, er we weren ~, etc., before he knows it, before we knew it, etc.; (b) ben (worthen) ~, with clause: to learn (how sb. acted, that sth. is so, etc.), perceive (where sb. comes), realize (that sth. is so), etc.; wise (witter) and ~; (c) ben ~, to behold (sb.), see; worthen ~, learn of (sth.), find (sth.) out, discover; also, with inf. phrase: see (sth. happen) [quot. a1325, 2nd].

(a) Vigilant, watchful; wary; ben ~, to beware; also, freq. in impv. phrase with force of an interj.: be ~, beware, watch out; also used with pron. as dat. of interest or reference [quot. c1450]; ben ~ and waker, ben waker and ~; ben ~ afore (biforen), be forewarned, be on guard; (b) with selected prepositions: ben ~ ayen (ayenes, with, yen), to be on guard against (sb., sins, an action, etc.), be ready to resist; also, be vigilant concerning (sth.); ben ~ bi (thurgh), take warning from (sb., someone’s example, a tale, etc.), be warned by; ben ~ from (of), beware (sb. or sth.), be wary of; also, avoid (certain foods, sin, etc.), refrain from; (c) ben ~, with inf.: to beware (to do sth., of doing sth., etc.), avoid (doing sth.); also, become wary (upon hearing of sth.) [quot. a1500(1446), 1st]; be vigilant (to do sth.) [quot. a1393]; also, with that clause: beware (that one not do sth.), guard against (doing sth.) [quot. c1375]; (d) ben ~, to beware of (sth.); with adv.: ben ~ biforen, guard against (sth.); also with noun clause as obj. [1st quot.].

(a) Prudent, circumspect; careful, cautious; ~ of, careful about (sth.), careful with (sth.); careful of (expenses); also, prudent in governing (oneself); ~ on speche, discreet of speech; (b) diligent, at pains;—used in phrase ben ~ with inf. or with clause (either introduced by that or leste or without conj.): to be careful (to do sth., that sth. happen, lest sth. happen, etc.); take care (to do sth., that sth. is done, lest sth. happen or not happen, etc.), see to it (that sth. is done); ben ~ biforen, take precaution (that one does sth.) [transl. of L praecavere]; (c) ben ~, with noun clause introduced by hou or what: to be careful about (how one does sth., what one says), be prudent in; (d) as adv.: carefully, diligently.

Prepared, ready; prepared (for sth.); with inf.: ready (to do sth.); ben ~.

(a) Sagacious, wise; also, skillful, capable; also, as noun: one who is wise;—also coll.; ~ and (or) wise, wise and ~, etc.;—freq. used with diminished force or as mere rime tag; ~ in (of, on), skilled in (war, words, deeds, etc.); (b) shrewd, cunning; crafty; (c) with inf.: adroit (at doing sth.); ~ and wise, skilled and shrewd (in fighting); wise and ~, clever and cunning (so as to defeat sb.).

In proverbs and prov. expressions.

As surname.