I. ˈbed 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 guest
2. : 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 : foundation
4. : layer , stratum
5.
a. : the place or material in which a block or brick is laid
b. : the lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile
6. : a mass or heap resembling a bed
a bed of ashes
served on a bed of lettuce
•
- in bed
II. verb
( bed·ded ; bed·ding )
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to find or make sleeping accommodations — usually used with down
a place to bed down
b. : to go to bed — usually used with down
bed down at midnight
2. : to form a layer
3. : to lie flat or flush
transitive verb
1.
a. : to furnish with a bed or bedding : settle in sleeping quarters — often used with down
b. : to put, take, or send to bed
2.
a. : embed
b. : to plant or arrange in beds
c. : base , establish
3.
a. : to lay flat or in a layer
b. : to make a bed in or of
4. : to have sexual intercourse with