Pronunciations (2)
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/bəʊd/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/boʊd/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
Verb
Of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); to portend.
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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But in the thought and ſcope of my opinion, / This bodes ſome ſtrange eruption to the ſtate.
More examples (1)
O heauen; O earth, beare vvitness to this ſound, / And crovvne vvhat I profeſſe vvith kinde euent / If I ſpeake true: If hollovvly inuert / VVhat beſt is boaded me, to miſchiefe: I, / Beyond all limit of vvhat elſe i'th vvorld, / Do loue, prize, honor you.
But so much haste bodes / Right little speed, and— […]
More examples (1)
It bodeth evil for Atlantis that I come back with my spirit sore to find Oltis stepping into the place of high priest.
To declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs; to foretell, to predict; specifically, to predict (something undesirable); to forebode.
Usage- Archaic
- Transitive
- Examples
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Augur accurſt! denouncing Miſchief ſtill, / Prophet of Plagues, for ever boding Ill!
Forgive my Impatience: But my preſaging Mind bodes horrid Miſchiefs!
More examples (3)
There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin.
Thou bodedst thence, long erst, the Church's fall,— / Allowing but the span of human life, / Till that should come, which would be little joy / To those who should behold her desolate.
Therewith flew another crow over the ship and screeched. Therewith the bonder heedeth no longer the rowing, and the oar became loose in his hand. Then said the king: "Much thou bodest of that crow, bonder, or of what it saith." The bonder said: "Lord, now it misgiveth me thereof."
Often followed by ill or well: of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of something.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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VVhat ever novv / The Omen prove, it boded vvell to you.
"Vile wretch!" the angry chief replied, / "Thou ever bodest ill; / If I had but thee in my power, / Thy heart's blood I would spill."
More examples (3)
The period and policy of Julian are returning. Some think this bodes ill for the Church; no, it is the State that will suffer.
Recent investment by Sellafield and DRS in new wagons and more environmentally friendly traction bodes well for the future of one of the UK's last remaining internal rail networks and for the dedicated team who operate and maintain it.
[S]he'd also received a backstage tour of a national magazine and star treatment from its publisher, all of which seemed to bode well for the future of her little column.
Noun
A feeling that something is going to happen; a premonition, a presentiment.
An indication, an omen, a sign.
Usage- Obsolete
- Synonyms
- Examples
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More examples (1)
[A]t Myræ in Lycia, vvas the fountaine of Apollo Curius, vvhere the fiſhes being three times called vvith a Pipe, aſſembled themſelues, and if they deuoured the meats giuen them, it vvas interpreted a good bode and happie preſage: if they ſtrucke avvay the ſame vvith their tailes, it vvas direfull and dreadfull.
Ovr Poet […] deſires that yee / VVould not diſtaſte his Muſe, becauſe of late / Tranſplanted, vvhich vvould grovv here, if no fate / Have an unlucky bode […]
A message; also, news, tidings.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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More examples (1)
I muſt tell you vvhat lovely Jeſus, fair Jeſus, King Jeſus hath done to my ſoul; ſometimes he ſendeth me out a ſtanding drink, and vvhiſpereth a vvord thorovv the vvall; and I am vvell content of kindneſs at the ſecond hand; his bode is ever vvelcome to me, be vvhat it vvill; […]
Thorough counsel I shall you answer, / What bode ye shall to your lord bear.
Noun
An offer to pay a certain amount of money for something; a bid.
Usage- Northern-England
- Scotland
- Examples
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Na, na, Captain; ye're ower young and ower free o' your siller [silver]—ye should never tak a fish-wife's first bode; […]
Verb
To make a bid or offer for (something); to bid, to offer.
Usage- Scotland
- Transitive
- Examples
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52. Bode good, and get it. / 53. Bode a Robe, and wear it; bode a Sack, and bear it. / Speak heartily, and expect Good, and it vvill fall out accordingly.
Noun
A herald; a messenger.
- Related words
- Examples
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More examples (1)
[T]he fame of the Duke's coming was sent abroad by the bodes or messengers, despatched to prepare the towns through which he was to pass for an arrival sooner than expected, […]
Noun
An act of biding or waiting; a wait; also, a delay.
Usage- Scotland
- Obsolete
- Synonyms
- Examples
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[M]ake thou thy boade, / In reſolution to reuenge theſe vvronges, / VVith bloud of thouſands guiltleſſe of this rage, / Flie thou on them amaine: […]
Verb
indicate, as with a sign or an omen
- Synonyms
- Examples
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These signs bode bad news