Main Entry:

¹bed

Pronunciation:

\ˈbed\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English bedd; akin to Old High German betti bed, Latin fodere to dig

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a piece of furniture on or in which to lie and sleep b (1): a place of sex relations (2): marital relationship (3): close association : cahoots <a legislator in bed with lobbyists> c: a place for sleeping d: sleep ; also : a time for sleeping <took a walk before bed> e (1): a mattress filled with soft material (2): bedstead f: the equipment and services needed to care for one hospitalized patient or hotel guest2: a flat or level surface: as a: a plot of ground prepared for plants ; also : the plants grown in such a plot b: the bottom of a body of water ; especially : an area of sea bottom supporting a heavy growth of a particular organism <an oyster bed> 3: a supporting surface or structure : foundation4: layer, stratum5 a: the place or material in which a block or brick is laid b: the lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile6: a mass or heap resembling a bed <a bed of ashes> <served on a bed of lettuce>

— in bed

: in the act of sexual intercourse