Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb transitive To drive or toss about; drive out, off, back, or away; defeat.
  • verb transitive To effect; do; commit; perpetrate; experience.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English bidriven, from Old English bedrīfan ("to drive; beat; strike; assail; follow up; pursue; surround; cover"), equivalent to be- +‎ drive. Cognate with Dutch bedrijven ("to commit, perpetrate"), German betreiben ("to operate, conduct, pursue"), Swedish bedriva ("to manage, carry on, prosecute").

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Examples

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