betimes
Americanadverb
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early; in good time.
He was up betimes doing his lessons.
-
occasionally; at times.
-
Archaic. within a short time; soon.
adverb
-
in good time; early
-
in a short time; soon
Etymology
Origin of betimes
1275–1325; Middle English bitimes, equivalent to bitime (from phrase bi time by time) + -s -s 1
Vocabulary lists containing betimes
"The Tragedy of Macbeth," Vocabulary from Act 3
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"To an Athlete Dying Young" by A. E. Housman
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Poppies don’t bloom in December — not even here — and roses put in an appearance only betimes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 13, 2022
It originated as Union Army surplus fabric after the Civil War, and 19th-century officers wore it betimes with a cowboy hat, or with an Abe Lincoln stovepipe topper.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2021
In most U.S. cities bars close by 1 a.m. and most U.S. citizens go to bed betimes, anyhow.
From Time Magazine Archive
Therefore hardy balcony patrons gather betimes to form their amazing queues.
From Time Magazine Archive
Happy is he who hath sown his wild oats betimes.
From Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases With a Copious Index of Principal Words by Preston, Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
