Part 53 (2/2)

BEDENE, BY DENE, _adv._

1. Quickly, forthwith.

_Barbour._

2. It seems also to signify, besides, moreover; in addition, as respecting persons.

_Gawan and Gol._

3. It undoubtedly signifies, in succession, or ”one after another.”

_Gawan and Gol._

As _belyve_, very similar in sense, is undoubtedly the imperat. of _belif-an_, q. _wait_, _stay_; _bedene_ may have been formed in the same manner, from Germ. _bedien-en_, to serve, to obey.

BEDIS, _s. pl._ Prayers.

_King's Quair._

Germ. _bed-en_; Germ. _ge-bet_, prayer. Hence O. E. _bidde_, and the phrase, _to bidde prayers_, to ask, to solicit them.

BEDE-HOUSE, _s._ A term used for an alms-house, S. B.

_Statist. Acc._

BEDE-MAN, BEIDMAN, _s._

1. A person who resides in a bede-house, or is supported from the funds appropriated for this purpose, S.

_Statist. Acc._

2. In the Court of Exchequer, this term is used to denote one of that cla.s.s of paupers who enjoy the royal bounty. The designation has originated from some religious foundation, in times of popery. _Bedman_ occurs in O. E.

V. ~a.s.soilyie~, sense 3.

The origin is A. S. _bead_, a prayer. Hence, says Verstegan, the name of _Beads_, ”they being made to pray on, and _Beadsman_.”

BEDYIT, _part. pa._ Dipped.

_Douglas._

A. S. _deag-an_, tingere.

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