frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

partiality, prejudice; ability, aptitude, talent, gift: She
wished to follow the bent of her own taste. He has a natural
bent for music.
bequeath v. leave, make over, will, pass on, hand down or on, transmit,
Law devise: Aunt Margaret has bequeathed her collection of
music boxes to the museum.
bequest n. legacy, inheritance: A huge bequest was received by the
hospital.
berate v. scold, chide, rate, upbraid, revile, abuse, rail at,
excoriate, castigate, objurgate; harangue: In the square an
ancient virago was berating a butcher.
bereave v. deprive; strip, rob, dispossess: The accident bereaved him
of his child.
berserk adj. amok, mad, violent, wild, crazed, frenzied, maniacal: He
went berserk, destroying tables and chairs.
beseech v. supplicate, entreat, implore, plead (with), beg, importune,
obsecrate: The prisoners beseeched the king to have mercy on
them.
beset v. encompass, surround, besiege; assail, attack, harass, harry,
hector, bother, afflict, trouble: She was beset by all the
problems involved in having a job and a family.
beside prep. 1 alongside, near, next to, with, close to, hard by,
nearby, by: A handsome young man walked up and sat down beside
her. 2 away from, wide of, apart from, unconnected with, off:
The fact that I owe you money is entirely beside the point. 3
beside oneself. out of one's mind or wits, at the end of one's
tether, overwrought, agitated, upset, crazy, mad: She was
beside herself with grief when she heard the news.
besides adv. 1 in addition, additionally, also; further, furthermore,
moreover, as well, too; to boot, on top of everything else, into
the bargain: Maria is our choice for the post and, besides,
she's the only qualified person available. On their anniversary
he gave her a diamond ring and a sapphire brooch besides.