bid

I. verb (bade or bid; bidden or bid; also bade; bidding) 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 • bidder noun 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