I. ˈbet, usu -ed.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1.
a.
(1) : something that is laid, staked, or pledged typically between two parties on the outcome of a contest or any contingent issue : wager
a bet on the game
lay a bet on a racehorse
(2) : a sum put into a poker pot requiring other players to stay or drop ; especially : the first such sum put in after a deal or draw — compare ante II, call II 8, raise II
b. : the act of giving or promising such a pledge
2. : something on which one lays a bet : a thing to wager on
the gray horse is the best bet to win the race
3. : a choice decided on with consideration of probabilities
your best bet is to avoid short cuts if you do not know the route
he is a poor bet for the job
II. verb
( bet or betted ; bet also betted ; betting ; bets )
transitive verb
1. : to stake (money) on the outcome of an issue or the performance of a contestant
betting $2 on the race
betting $100 on the election
2.
a. : to maintain with or as if with a bet
I will bet that he will be elected
b. : to make a bet with or against (a person)
I bet him on the game
c. : to lay a bet on
he bet the track favorite to place
intransitive verb
: to lay a bet
III.
now dialect past of beat
IV.
variant of beth
V. abbreviation
between