bed

I. 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

> II. verb (bedded; bedding) 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