† betimebitimev.
Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To betide.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)] > happen to
tocomeeOE
limpc888
i-timeOE
alimpOE
comeOE
on-becomeOE
tidec1000
befallc1175
betidec1175
betimea1225
fallc1225
time?c1225
yfallc1275
timea1325
happena1393
to run upon ——a1393
behapa1450
bechance1530
succeeda1533
attaina1535
behappen1596
a1225 St. Marher. 2 Bitimde umbe stunde þat ter com ut of asie toward antioche þes feondes an foster.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 252 For þi þet swich auenture bitimeð to summon.
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 146 Ȝif sunne bitimeð bi nihte.
b. In the following the Folio of 1623 and many editions have be time in two words: the chronology of the verb supports their reading.
ΚΠ
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 358 No time shalbe omitted, That will be time and may by vs befitted. View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† betimeadv.
Obsolete.
1. In good time, early, seasonably.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb]
in timea1325
in good timec1325
in seasonc1330
tidefullya1340
tidily1340
betimesc1380
betimec1385
opportunelyc1425
at one's leisure1481
maturely1531
seasonably1532
timeously1538
timefully1614
tempestively1628
patly1632
opportune1667
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women 452 Ffor who so ȝeuyth a ȝifte or doth a grace, Do it be tyme his thank is wel the more.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4321 Bettur it es bi-time to stint þan folu þi prai þat es bot tint.
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 412 Ȝa, on þi sowle þou schalt þynke al betyme.
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 368 We ne sain but soþ and sesen bytime [L. statim tacemus].
1509 S. Hawes Conuercyon Swerers (de Worde) 20 Amende by tyme lest I take vengeaunce.
1565 W. Allen tr. St. Augustine in Def. & Declar. Doctr. Purgatory i. x. f. 96 Therfore deare brethern let vs turne and amende by time.
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 24/1 So would..Woulsey had don, had not the kyng geuen him a necke to his mate by tyme.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. iii. 98 Put vp thy sword betime . View more context for this quotation
a1624 Bp. M. Smith Serm. (1632) 274 She was very betime..lewd or naught.
2. spec. At an early hour, early in the day.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > morning > [adverb]
earlyOE
orOE
ereOE
amornOE
amorrowc1275
rathec1275
betimea1300
morningc1325
of (also in, on) morningsc1395
a-morninga1400
a-morningsc1400
betimes1481
morningly1560
in the morning1562
ante meridiem1563
timeous1566
rare1574
in a morning1591
rearly1596
timeouslyc1600
mornly1605
a.m.1651
rear1714
antemeridian1770
bright and early1805
matutinely1833
matutinally1897
ack emma1918
a1300 K. Horn 965 For ischal beo þer bitime, A soneday bi pryme.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1088 Elles sulen he brennen and for-faren, If he ne bi time heðe[n] waren.
1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount (1568) 42 a In the morninge betime take some of the foresaied preservatives.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. iv. 20 To businesse that we loue, we rise betime . View more context for this quotation
1630 E. Pagitt Christianogr. (1636) iii. 78 Upon Saturday morning betime.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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v.a1225adv.a1300