betimes, adv.
(bɪˈtaɪmz)
Forms: 4 bitimes, -tymes, 4–5 be-, bytymys, 5–6 bytymes, 6 betymes, bytimes, (8–9 by times), 6– betimes.
[f. betime + advb. genitive -s; cf. beside, besides.]
1. At an early time, period, or season; early in the year; early in life.
| c 1314 Guy Warw. 1212 Al bi times þou miȝt wende; Ȝete no hastow ben here a moneþ to þende. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 208 The flowers of the first kinde, do shewe bytimes, as in Marche or before. 1611 Bible Prov. xiii. 24 He that loueth him, chasteneth him betimes. 1791 J. Wilson in Sparks Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853) IV. 388 Good principles..should be laid betimes, as the foundation. 1875 Helps Ess. 59 He [man of business] must learn betimes to love truth. |
2. spec. At an early hour, early in the morning.
| 1481 Caxton Reynard 43, I wil to morow bytymes as the sonne riseth take my way to rome. 1535 Coverdale Bible Josh. vii. 16 Iosua gat him vp by tymes in the mornynge. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. ii. iii. 2 Not to bee a bedde after midnight, is to be vp betimes. 1663 Pepys Diary 1 Sept., Up pretty betimes, and after a little at my violl, to my office. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth III. 59, I will ride to Perth to-morrow by times. |
3. In good time, in due time; while there is yet time, before it is too late.
| c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 372 And it wer nede þat cristis chirche toke tente to þis word by-tymys. 1545 Brinklow Complaynt (1874) 95 Repent betymes, and..fall diligently to prayer. 1667 Milton P.L. iii. 186 To appease betimes Th' incensed Deitie. 1794 G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Philos. II. xvii. 298 Happy those who learn this lesson betimes. 1860 Hawthorne Marb. Faun (1879) II. xxv. 254 It is wise, therefore, to come back betimes, or never. |
4. In a short time, soon, speedily, anon, forthwith.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy xiv. 5966 So hit tid hom tensiche betymys þat day. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, ii. i. 36 He tyres betimes, that spurs too fast betimes. 1707 Freind Peterboro's Cond. Sp. 180 We hope for a Maritine Force betimes in these Seas. |