betime

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɪˈtaɪm/
• Rhymes: -aɪm

Etymology 1

From Middle English bitimen (“to happen”); equivalent to be- +‎ time (verb). Compare betide.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To occur; betide.

Synonyms

• come to pass, transpire; See also Thesaurus:happen

Etymology 2

From Middle English by-tyme (“by time”); equivalent to by +‎ time.

Adverb

betime (not comparable)

1. Betimes.
   • 1868, Mary Frances Cusack, An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800‎^[1]:

     Send succours (lords), and stop the rage betime, Before the wound do grow uncurable; For being green, there is great hope of help."

   • 1907, Michael Drayton, Minor Poems of Michael Drayton‎^[2]:

     Her feature all as fresh aboue, As is the grasse that grows by Doue, as lyth as lasse of Kent: Her skin as soft as Lemster wooll, As white as snow on peakish hull, or Swanne that swims in Trent. 30 This mayden in a morne betime, Went forth when May was in her prime, to get sweet Cetywall, The hony-suckle, the Harlocke, The Lilly and the Lady-smocke, to decke her summer hall.

Derived terms

• betimely
• betimes

Anagrams

• bite me