Definition of "beset"

beset

/bɪˈsɛt/

verb
third-person singular simple present besets, present participle besetting, simple past and past participle beset
1. (transitive) To surround or hem in.
  Quotations
  Vegetatively it is the nearest to H. translucens with its oblong-lanceolate leaves, with the margins and keel beset with pellucid teeth, but it differs and is characterised by the greyish-black quadrantly positioned globose flowers; […]
  1985, Charles L. Scott, The Genus Haworthia (Liliaceae): A Taxonomic Revision, page 80
2. (transitive, sometimes figurative) To attack or assail, especially from all sides.
  Quotations
  “Nay, for matter o’ that, he never doth any mischief,” said the woman; “but to be sure it is necessary he should keep some arms for his own safety; for his house hath been beset more than once; and it is not many nights ago that we thought we heard thieves about it […]
  1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […]
  Track and platforms have been upgraded, but refurbished trains from Vivarail have been beset by software problems.
  2021 July 28, Paul Clifton, “£67 million Isle of Wight line extension submitted to DfT”, in RAIL, number 936, page 21
3. (transitive) To decorate something with jewels etc.
4. (nautical) Of a ship, to get trapped by ice.