betide
[bih-
tahyd
]
/bɪˈtaɪd/
verb (used with object)
,
betided,
betiding.
1.
to happen to; come to; befall:
Woe betide the villain!
verb (used without object)
,
betided,
betiding.
2.
to happen; come to pass:
Whatever betides, maintain your courage.
Origin
1125-75;
Middle English
betiden.
See
be-
,
tide
2
Examples from the web for
betide
Woe
betide
anyone who deviates from the standard settings.
British Dictionary definitions for
betide
betide
/
bɪˈtaɪd
/
verb
1.
to happen or happen to; befall (often in the phrase
woe betide
(
someone
))
Word Origin
C13: see
be-
,
tide
²
Word Origin and History for
betide
v.
"to happen, befall," late 12c., from
be-
+
tiden
"to happen" (see
tide
).