—v. (-dd-; past bid, archaic bade; past part. Bid, archaic bidden) 1 (past and past part. Bid) a (esp. At an auction) make an offer (of) (bid for the vase; bid £20). B offer a service for a stated price.

- literary command; invite (bid the soldiers shoot; bade her start).

- literary utter (a greeting or farewell) to (i bade him welcome).

- (past and past part. Bid) cards state before play how many tricks one intends to make. —n. - act of bidding.

- amount bid.

- colloq. Attempt; effort (bid for power). bidder n. [old english]