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

In accepting these terms, Hamas effectively acknowledges its defeat, even if it hopes to bide its time and live to fight another day.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They were older than me and in an all-boys team, so I had to bide my time a little bit.

Read more on BBC

Happy to bide his time and assess his options, Venkatesham, it is understood, didn't feel an overpowering to urge to return to football.

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

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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".

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Related Words

• dwell 
• sit tight 
• stick around