- OE. bidden, prop to ask, beg, AS. biddan; akin to OS. biddian, Icel. biðja, OHG. bittan, G. bitten, to pray, ask, request, and E. bead, also perh. to Gr. teiqein to persuade, L. fidere to trust, E. faith, and bide. But this word was early confused with OE. bedenbeoden, AS. beódan, to offer, command; akin to Icel. bjōða, Goth. biudanin comp.), OHG. biotan to command, bid, G. bieten, D. bieden, to offer, also to Gr. pynqa`nesqai to learn by inquiry, Skr. budh to be awake, to heed, present OSlav. budēti to be awake, E. bode, v. The word now has the form of OE. bidden to ask, but the meaning of OE. beden to command, except in “to bid beads.” √30
- To make an offer of; to propose. Specifically : To offer to pay ( a certain price, as for a thing put up at auction), or to take (a certain price, as for work to be done under a contract).
- To offer in words; to declare, as a wish, a greeting, a threat, or defiance, etc.; as, to bid one welcome; to bid good morning, farewell, etc.Neither bid him God speed.He bids defiance to the gaping crowd.
- To proclaim; to declare publicly; to make known.Mostly obsOur banns thricebid!
- To order; to direct; to enjoin; to command.That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow.Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.I was bid to pick up shells.
- To invite; to call in; to request to come.As many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.To offer; proffer; tender; propose; order; command; direct; charge; enjoin.
