Main Entry:

¹bid

Pronunciation:

\ˈbid\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

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

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1 aobsolete : beseech, entreat b: to issue an order to : tell <did as I was bid> c: to request to come : invite2: to give expression to <bade a tearful farewell>3 a: offer —usually used in the phrase to bid defiance bpast 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

synonyms see command

— bid·der noun

— bid fair

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