I. ˈbid verb
( bade ˈbad, ˈbād ; or bid ; bid·den ˈbi-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 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 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 participle 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
II. noun
Date: 1788
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
III. abbreviation
Etymology: Latin bis in die
twice a day