behold

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Behold means to look at or see something with great attention and often surprise. It's like saying "look" or "see", but with more emphasis.

When people say "behold", they usually mean that what they're about to describe is amazing, beautiful, or extraordinary. For example, if someone says "behold the sunset over the ocean", they're not just pointing out where the sun is right now, but rather expressing their wonder and appreciation for its beauty. Similarly, when reading a description of a place in a book or watching a documentary about an incredible sight, the narrator might say "behold" to draw attention to it. In these cases, behold is like saying "wow", but with more formality.

How common is "behold"?

Word behold is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

verb

  • To look at or see (someone or something), especially appreciatively; to descry, to look upon.

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