bide

[bahyd]

verb (used with object)

bided, bode, bided. , bid, biding .

1. Archaic.,  to endure; bear.

2. Obsolete.,  to encounter.

verb (used without object)

bided, bode, bided. , bid, biding .

1. to dwell; abide; wait; remain.

   Synonyms: tarry, linger, stay

bide

/ baɪd /

verb

1. archaic,  (intr) to continue in a certain place or state; stay

2. archaic,  (intr) to live; dwell

3. archaic,  (tr) to tolerate; endure

4. to stay a little

5. to abide by

6. to wait patiently for an opportunity

Other Word Forms

• bider noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bide¹

before 900; Middle English biden, Old English bīdan; cognate with Old Frisian bīdia, Old Saxon bīdan, Old High German bītan, Old Norse bītha, Gothic beidan, Latin fīdere, Greek peíthesthai to trust, rely < Indo-European *bheidh-; the meaning apparently developed: have trust > endure > wait > abide > remain

Word History and Origins

Origin of bide¹

Old English bīdan ; related to Old Norse bītha to wait, Gothic beidan , Old High German bītan

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. bide one's time, to wait for a favorable opportunity.

   He wanted to ask for a raise, but bided his time.

Example Sentences

She attacked the Swiatek serve, immediately breaking back then biding her time as she displayed superb skill on the backhand side and served brilliantly.

From BBC

As Beijing grows bolder in its attempts to project power in the Pacific, China's neighbours, from Taiwan to Australia, are worried that its famous mantra is paying off: "hide your strength and bide your time".

From BBC

At the time Mr Scott told his father, Neil Scott, that Morgan had said to him: "I'll bide my time, but I promise I will get you" before making a gun gesture with his fingers.

From BBC

Aggie Beever-Jones has had to bide her time to experience a major tournament with England - so she is not going to let it pass her by.

From BBC

"He submitted the telephone and prosecutions followed. Elias Morgan told Lenny Scott that he would get him, he said he would bide his time, but that he would get him."

From BBC

Related Words

• dwell 
• sit tight 
• stick around