besetting

adjective

1. constantly assailing or obsessing, as with temptation: a besetting sin.

verb (used with object), be·set, be·set·ting.

1. to attack on all sides; assail; harass: to be beset by enemies; beset by difficulties.
2. to surround; hem in: a village beset on all sides by dense forest.
3. to set or place upon; bestud: a gold bracelet beset with jewels.
4. Nautical. to surround (a vessel) by ice, so that control of the helm is lost.

adjective

1. tempting, harassing, or assailing (esp in the phrase besetting sin)

verb -sets, -setting or -set (tr)

1. (esp of dangers, temptations, or difficulties) to trouble or harass constantly
2. to surround or attack from all sides
3. archaic to cover with, esp with jewels

v.

Old English besettan “to put, place; own, keep; occupy, settle; cover, surround with, besiege,” from Proto-Germanic *bisatjan (cf. Old Saxon bisettjan, Dutch bezetten, Old High German bisezzan, German besetzen, Gothic bisatjan); see be- + set (v.). The figurative sense also was in Old English. Related: Beset (past tense); besetting.