The word "besetting" is spelled with three syllables, pronounced "biˈsetiŋ" in IPA transcription. The first syllable begins with the "b" sound, followed by the "ih" sound as in "bit." The second syllable begins with the "s" sound followed by the "eh" sound as in "bet." The final syllable begins with the "t" sound and ends with the "ihng" sound as in "sing." It means constantly troubling or harassing, an ever-present problem that is difficult to escape.
Besetting, as an adjective, refers to something that persistently or frequently troubles or influences someone or something, causing great difficulty or annoyance. It is often associated with a negative or persistent quality that becomes a prominent and troublesome feature. The term emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the issue, suggesting that it hampers, burdens, or bedevils an individual or entity.
Typically used in a figurative sense, besetting can describe a habit, trait, characteristic, or a situation that repeatedly ensnares, challenges, or holds sway over a person's thoughts, behavior, or progress. For example, an individual may have a besetting vice, such as smoking or gambling, indicating a persistent struggle to overcome it. Alternatively, a country might have a besetting economic problem, signifying that it faces a recurrent and difficult challenge in its financial system.
The word 'besetting' connotes a sense of inescapability, as if the trouble or influence continuously hovers or encircles, making it difficult to evade or overcome. It suggests that the issue is deeply ingrained or prevalent and may require concerted effort or willpower to conquer. Furthermore, besetting implies that the problem is deeply rooted or ingrained, suggesting that addressing it may require more than just a superficial or temporary solution.
Habitually attending.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "besetting" can be traced back to Old English through its root "besettan", which means "to surround, besiege, or occupy". It is composed of two elements: "be-" which serves as a strengthening or intensifying prefix, and "settan", which means "to set or place". Over time, "besetting" has evolved to its current form, describing something that persistently troubles or hinders someone.