Bidden

Part of Speech

Verb (past participle of "bid")

Pronunciation

/ˈbɪdən/

Definitions

1. Bidden: Past participle of "bid," meaning to have commanded, requested, or invited someone to do something.
2. To have been offered a price or bid in an auction or sale.

Usage Examples

• She had bidden him to come to the party, but he was busy.
• The king had bidden the knights to prepare for battle.
• The auctioneer had bidden for the antique vase, but no one matched the price.

Etymology

The word "bidden" comes from the Old English word "biddan," which means to ask or request. It is the past participle form of the verb "bid," which has retained a similar meaning over centuries. Historically, "bidden" was used to describe the act of offering a price, giving a command, or inviting someone to perform an action.

Synonyms

• Commanded
• Requested
• Invited
• Asked
• Ordered

Antonyms

• Refused
• Denied
• Dismissed
• Ignored

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In some dialects of English, particularly in Scotland, the pronunciation of "bidden" may drop the final "n," sounding more like /ˈbɪd/.
• In poetic or archaic usage, the word "bidden" may be pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable, like /ˈbɪˈdən/.

Historical Usage

The term "bidden" was commonly used in medieval and early modern English, primarily to express the act of commanding or requesting. In Shakespearean and older literature, it was often used to signify a formal command or request, and its usage carried a certain level of authority or respect. Over time, the word "bidden" fell out of everyday speech, though it is still used in modern English in formal or literary contexts.

Cultural Nuances

In various cultures, "bidden" conveys more than just a simple request—it can signify respect, authority, or obligation. For example, in older English-speaking societies, being "bidden" to an event was often considered an honor. In contrast, in some modern contexts, the word can carry a more transactional or impersonal tone, especially when used in business or legal settings.

More Information

The word "bidden" is primarily used in formal and literary contexts, often in historical writings or as a poetic choice to denote the past action of bidding or commanding. It is an important part of the English language’s evolution from Old English, and its variants still appear in modern-day legal and literary language. While it is rare in colloquial speech today, it remains a useful term in expressing past requests or commands with authority.