bid 1
— bidder , n.
/bid/ , v. , bade or ( Archaic ) bad for 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 or bid for 3, 4, 7, 9, 10; bidden or bid for 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 or bid for 3, 4, 7, 9; bidding; n.
v.t.
1. to command; order; direct: to bid them depart.
2. to express (a greeting, farewell, benediction, or wish): to bid good night.
3. Com. to offer (a certain sum) as the price one will pay or charge: They bid $25,000 and got the contract.
4. Cards. to enter a bid of (a given quantity or suit): to bid two no-trump.
5. to summon by invitation; invite.
v.i.
6. to command; order; direct: I will do as you bid.
7. to make a bid: She bid at the auction for the old chair.
8. bid fair . See fair 1 (def. 23).
9. bid in , Com. to overbid all offers for (property) at an auction in order to retain ownership.
10. bid up , Com. to increase the market price of by increasing bids.
n.
11. an act or instance of bidding.
12. Cards.
a. an offer to make a specified number of points or to take a specified number of tricks.
b. the amount of such an offer.
c. the turn of a person to bid.
13. an invitation: a bid to join the club.
14. an attempt to attain some goal or purpose: a bid for election.
15. Also called bid price . Stock Exchange. the highest price a prospective buyer is willing to pay for a security at a given moment.
[ bef. 900; ME bidden, OE biddan to beg, ask; c. OFris bidda, OS biddian, OHG bittan (G bitten ), ON bithja, Goth bidjan; all bid-ja- ( bhidh- ) command, akin to Gk peíthein to persuade, inspire with trust, E BIDE ]
Syn. 1. charge; require, enjoin. 3. offer, tender, proffer. 11. offer, proposal; proffer.
bid 2
/bid/ , v. Archaic.
pp. of bide .