Bid (bĭd), v. t.
[imp. Bade (băd), Bid, (Obs.)
Bad; p. p. Bidden (?), Bid;
p. pr. & vb. n. Bidding.] [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. beden, beoden, AS.
beódan, to offer, command; akin to Icel.
bjōða, Goth. biudan (in 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.]
1. 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).
2. 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.
2. John 10.
He bids defiance to the gaping crowd.
Granrille.
3. To proclaim; to declare publicly; to make
known. [Mostly obs.] "Our banns thrice bid !" Gay.
4. To order; to direct; to enjoin; to
command.
That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow.
Pope
Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.
Matt. xiv. 28
I was bid to pick up shells.
D. Jerrold.
5. To invite; to call in; to request to
come.
As many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
Matt. xxii. 9
To bid beads, to pray with beads, as the Roman
Catholics; to distinguish each bead by a prayer. [Obs.] -- To
bid defiance to , to defy openly; to brave. --
To bid fair, to offer a good prospect; to make fair
promise; to seem likely.
Syn. -- To offer; proffer; tender; propose; order; command;
direct; charge; enjoin.