The word "beholds" is spelled with a silent "L" at the end, making the word stick out in written form. The IPA phonetic transcription for "beholds" is /bɪˈhoʊldz/. The "B" is pronounced as usual, followed by a short "I" sound. The letter "E" is pronounced as a schwa, and then the "H" sound is made with a long "OW" in the stressed syllable, followed by a "L" sound. The "D" at the end is pronounced with a "Z" sound because of being followed by an "S".
Beholds is the third person singular present tense of the verb "behold." The term "behold" primarily refers to the act of seeing or observing something with one's own eyes. It commonly implies a sense of awe, wonder, or surprise when witnessing something remarkable or extraordinary. The act of beholding often involves a conscious effort to focus attention on something of interest or importance. It can involve observing a physical object, a scene, an event, or even an abstract concept or idea.
When an individual beholds something, they take it in visually and may experience various emotions or reactions depending on what they are witnessing. It is often associated with an intense degree of attention and often suggests a moment of pause, reflection, or admiration. The term "beholds" is typically used in formal or poetic contexts, as it carries a slightly archaic or elevated tone.
Furthermore, beholds can also be used metaphorically to mean understanding or perceiving something deeply or on a profound level. In this sense, it implies a deeper awareness or comprehension beyond mere visual perception. The concept of beholding encompasses the idea of consciously observing and appreciating the world around us, drawing attention to the beauty, complexity, or significance it offers.
The word beholds is derived from the Middle English term bihalden, which comes from the Old English word behealdan. Behealdan is a combination of the prefix be- (meaning by or near) and the verb healdan (meaning to hold or to keep). Over time, bihalden evolved into the modern English term beholds with similar meanings such as to observe, to look at, or to perceive.