▪ I. † beˈtime, bitime, v. Obs.
[f. bi-, be- + time(n to happen: see time v.]
intr. To betide.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 324 Ȝif sunne bitimeð bi nihte. Ibid. 340 Uorði þet swuch cas, and swuch auenture bitimeð to summe monne. a 1225 St. Marher. 2 Bitimde umbe stunde þat ter com ut of asie toward antioche þes feondes an foster. |
¶ In the following the Folio of 1623 and many editions have be time in two words: the chronology of the verb supports their reading.
| 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. iv. iii. 382 No time shall be omitted, That will betime [be time], and may by vs be fitted. |
▪ II. † beˈtime, adv. Obs.
Also 3–4 bitime, 4 bityme, 4–6 betyme, 6 bytime, -tyme.
[properly a phrase: ME. bi-, by-time, i.e. by time.]
1. In good time, early, seasonably.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 4321 Bettur it es bi-time to stint þan folu þi prai þat es bot tint. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 452 ffor who so ȝeuyth a ȝifte or doth a grace, Do it be tyme his thank is wel the more. 1509 Hawes Conv. Swearers 20 Amende by tyme lest I take vengeaunce. 1595 Shakes. John iv. iii. 98 Put vp thy sword betime. a 1632 Bp. M. Smyth Serm. 274 She was very betime..lewd or naught. |
2. spec. At an early hour, early in the day.
| c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 1088 Elles sulen he brennen and forfaren, If he ne bi time heðe[n] waren. a 1300 K. Horn 965 For ischal beo þer bitime, A soneday bi pryme. 1558 Warde Alexis' Secr. (1568) 42 a, In the morninge betime take some of the foresaied preservatives. 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. iv. 20 To businesse that we loue, we rise betime. 1630 E. Pagitt Christianogr. iii. (1636) 78 Upon Saturday morning betime. |