from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bestride \Be*stride"\, v. t. [imp. {Bestrode}, (Obs. or R.)
{Bestrid}; p. p. {Bestridden}, {Bestrid}, {Bestrode}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Bestriding}.] [AS. bestr[imac]dan; pref. be- +
str[imac]dan to stride.]
1. To stand or sit with anything between the legs, or with
the legs astride; to stand over
[1913 Webster]
That horse that thou so often hast bestrid. --Shak.
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Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus. --Shak.
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2. To step over; to stride over or across; as, to bestride a
threshold.
[1913 Webster]