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What is "to bid fair"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To bid fair

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.]

  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.

To bid fair

Fair \Fair\, adv. Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.

Fair and square, justly; honestly; equitably; impartially.

To bid fair. See under Bid.

To speak fair, to address with courtesy and frankness.