n.
Pronunciation: ' bid
Function: verb
Inflected Form: bade \ ' bad, ' b ā d \ or bid ; bid · den \ ' bi-d ə n \ 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 b ā dhate he presses; partly from Middle English beden to offer, command, from Old English b ē odan; akin to Old High German biotan to offer, Greek pynthanesthai to examine, Sanskrit bodhi enlightenment
Date: before 12th century
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
synonyms see COMMAND
– bid · der noun
– bid fair : to seem likely <a movie that bids fair to become a big hit>