Word Direct Answers

What does "bid" mean?

Bid: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.John 10. He bids defiance to the gaping crowd. Granrille.
  2. 3.To proclaim; to declare publicly; to make known. [Mostly obs.] "Our banns thrice bid !" Gay.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 6.imp. & p. p. of Bid.
  6. 7.An offer of a price, especially at auctions; a statement of a sum which one will give for something to be received, or will take for something to be done or furnished; that which is offered.
  7. 8.To pray. [Obs.] Chaucer.
  8. 9.To make a bid; to state what one will pay or take.

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