Bid v. t. [imp. Bade Bid, (Obs.) Bad; p. p. Bidden Bid; p. pr. & vb. n. Bidding.]
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 !”
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.
bid
n 1: an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
[syn: command, bidding, dictation]
2: an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for
power"; "he made a bid to gain attention" [syn: play]
3: a formal proposal to buy at a specified price [syn: tender]
4: (bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to
contract to make [syn: bidding]
v 1: propose a payment; "The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for
the painting" [syn: offer, tender]
2: invoke upon; "wish you a nice evening"; "bid farewell" [syn:
wish]
3: ask for or request earnestly; "The prophet bid all people to
become good persons" [syn: beseech, entreat, adjure,
press, conjure]
4: make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands;
"He called his trump" [syn: call]
5: make a serious effort to attain something; "His campaign bid
for the attention of the poor population"
6: ask someone in a friendly way to do something [syn: invite]
[also: bidding, bidden, bade]