bide

[ bahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, bid·ed or bode; bid·ed or (Archaic) bid; bid·ing.

1. Archaic. to endure; bear.
2. Obsolete. to encounter.

verb (used without object)

, bid·ed or bode; bid·ed or (Archaic) bid; bid·ing.

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. bide a wee
   bide a wee to stay a little
5. bide by
   bide by to abide by
6. bide one's time
   bide one's time to wait patiently for an opportunity

Other Words From

• bider 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 1960, at 26, she sat for months in the forests of Tanzania, biding her time until chimpanzees accepted her presence and she could observe them up close.

From Time

The Taliban could see how eager the Americans were to get out and so bided its time.

From Washington Post

Blanchard will keep caring and searching and biding her time for the right one, and Delfina will keep vigilant about vacuum cleaners.

From Washington Post

So we worked to first bring up other non controversial bills or bills that had bipartisan support, partly because we wanted them approved but also to bide more time.

From Time

So, whether they’re testing third-party cookie alternatives or still biding their time, many publishers are protective of their precious audience data and want to make sure it will be valued fairly by identity tech firms.

From Digiday

While Democrats bide their time, Republicans are already spending time and building operations in the Hawkeye State.

From The Daily Beast

Rather, one would think now would be an ideal moment for a grateful ally to ramp it down and bide their time.

From The Daily Beast

Bide your time with some of the most impressive public displays of Les Miserables love.

From The Daily Beast

If a culture has to be grown, then you have to bide your time while cell division takes its course.

From The Daily Beast

The bloodthirsty Young Turks of Bohane bide their time, waiting in the shadows to shank and supplant their revelry-addled elders.

From The Daily Beast

That's going to make things lots easier for my scheme, 'but I'll 'bide a wee' before I spring it on the Pater.

From Project Gutenberg

He was perfectly contented to bide his time, remembering that adage: "All things come to him who waits."

From Project Gutenberg

I am not sure that she thinks of me otherwise than as a grown-up brotherbut I will bide my time.

From Project Gutenberg

Let him tak a spring on his ain fiddle, says a proverb that illustrates the coolness with which Donald will bide his time.

From Project Gutenberg

But he could hardly have kept it up, lest the wind should change and it should bide with him, as the old women say.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dwell
• sit tight
• stick around