SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

bensel

noun
Save Word
ben·​sel | \ ˈben(t)-səl How to pronounce bensel (audio) , ˈben-zəl \
variants: or less commonly bensil \ ˈben(t)-​səl , ˈben-​zəl \
plural -s

Definition of bensel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

chiefly Scottish
: sudden violent motion or action

bensel

transitive verb
ben·​sel | \ ˈben(t)-səl How to pronounce bensel (audio) , ˈben-zəl \
variants: or less commonly bensil \ ˈben(t)-​səl , ˈben-​zəl \
benseled or benselled; benseled or benselled; benseling or benselling; bensels

Definition of bensel (Entry 2 of 2)

chiefly Scottish
: to strike violently : beat

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for bensel

Noun

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse benzl bent state of a bow, from benda to bend

Learn More About bensel

Dictionary Entries Near bensel

Benrath line

bensel

bensh

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for bensel

Cite this Entry

“Bensel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bensel. Accessed 6 Jul. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

recidivism

Listen to the pronunciation of recidivism

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Named After People

  • name tags
  • Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games