bid

¹bid

verb \ˈbid\

bade \ˈbad, ˈbād\ or bid bid·den \ˈbi-d^ən\ or bid also bade bid·ding

Definition of BID

transitive verb

1

a obsolete : beseech, entreat

b : to issue an order to : tell <did as I was bid>

c : to request to come : invite

2

: to give expression to <bade a tearful farewell>

3

a : offer —usually used in the phrase to bid defiance

b past and past part bid (1) : to offer (a price) whether for payment or acceptance (2) : to make a bid of or in (a suit at cards)

intransitive verb

: to make a bid

— bid·der noun

— bid fair

: to seem likely <a movie that bids fair to become a big hit>

Examples of BID

1. I'll bid $100 for the lamp but no higher.
2. He plans to stop bidding if the bids go over $500.
3. She bid for a desk and a chair.
4. Several local companies are bidding for the same job.
5. His company bid on the snow removal contract.
6. He bid and I passed.
7. We did as we were bid .

Origin of BID

partly from Middle English bidden, from Old English biddan; akin to Old High German bitten to entreat, and perhaps to Sanskrit bādhate he presses; partly from Middle English beden to offer, command, from Old English bēodan; akin to Old High German biotan to offer, Greek pynthanesthai to examine, Sanskrit bodhi enlightenment

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BID

Synonyms

adjure, command, boss (around), charge, direct, enjoin, instruct, order, tell

Antonyms

mind, obey

Related Words

ask, petition, request; beg, beseech, entreat; advise, counsel, warn; appoint, assign, authorize, commission; oversee, superintend, supervise; conduct, control, lead, manage; coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, require

Near Antonyms

comply (with), follow, keep, observe

See Synonym Discussion at command

²bid

noun

Definition of BID

1

a : the act of one who bids

b : a statement of what one will give or take for something; especially : an offer of a price

c : something offered as a bid

2

: an opportunity to bid

3

: invitation

4

a : an announcement of what a cardplayer proposes to undertake

b : the amount of such a bid

c : a biddable bridge hand

5

: an attempt or effort to win, achieve, or attract <a bid for reelection>

Examples of BID

1. Bids for the painter's work have been quite high at recent auctions.
2. She had the highest bid.
3. He made a bid of $100 for the painting.
4. He made the opening bid.
5. The company is accepting bids for the renovation project.

First Known Use of BID

1788

Related to BID

Synonyms

assay [archaic], bash [chiefly British], attempt, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl

Related Words

striving, struggle, throes, undertaking; trial and error

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

³bid

abbreviation

Definition of BID

twice a day

Origin of BID

Latin bis in die

BID

abbreviation

Definition of BID

bachelor of industrial design

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

bid

abbreviation    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BID

twice a day—used in writing prescriptions

Origin of BID

Latin bis in die