The Collaborative International Dictionary
Bid \Bid\ (b[i^]d), v. t. [imp. Bade (b[a^]d), 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. bi[eth]ja, 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. be['o]dan, to offer, command; akin to Icel. bj[=o][eth]a, 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. bud[=e]ti 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.'' [root]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).
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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. To proclaim; to declare publicly; to make known. [Mostly obs.] ``Our banns thrice bid !''
--Gay.-
To order; to direct; to enjoin; to command.
That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow.
--PopeLord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.
--Matt. xiv. 28I was bid to pick up shells.
--D. Jerrold. -
To invite; to call in; to request to come.
As many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
--Matt. xxii. 9To 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.