betimes

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WOTD - 7 August 2008

[edit] English

Middle English bitimes, from bi (“by”) + time and adverbial -s.

betimes (not comparable)

In good season or time; early, especially in the morning.
- 1902, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles, ch. 13,
  
  I was up betimes in the morning, but Holmes was afoot earlier still, for I saw him as I dressed, coming up the drive.
- 1896, A. E. Houseman, "To An Athlete Dying Young," in A Shropshire Lad,
  
  Smart lad to slip betimes away
  
  From fields where glory does not stay.
(archaic) In a short time, soon.
- 1898, The High History of the Holy Graal, translated by Sebastian Evans, Branch IX, Title II,
  
  [O]ne prayed God right heartily aloud that He would send them betimes a knight that durst convoy them through this strait pass.

in good season or time