BIDDING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does bidding mean? 

• BIDDING (noun)
  The noun BIDDING has 3 senses:

1. an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

2. a request to be present

3. (bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make

  Familiarity information: BIDDING used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BIDDING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An authoritative direction or instruction to do something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

bid; bidding; command; dictation

Hypernyms ("bidding" is a kind of...):

speech act (the use of language to perform some act)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "bidding"):

countermand (a contrary command cancelling or reversing a previous command)

order ((often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed)

charge; commission; direction (a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something)

commandment (something that is commanded)

injunction (a formal command or admonition)

behest (an authoritative command or request)

open sesame (a magical command; used by Ali Baba)

Derivation:

bid (ask for or request earnestly)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A request to be present

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

bidding; summons

Context example:

they came at his bidding

Hypernyms ("bidding" is a kind of...):

invitation (a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something)

Derivation:

bid (ask someone in a friendly way to do something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

bid; bidding

Hypernyms ("bidding" is a kind of...):

statement (a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc)

Domain category:

bridge (any of various card games based on whist for four players)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "bidding"):

contract; declaration ((contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make)

takeout ((bridge) a bid that asks your partner to bid another suit)

overbid; overcall ((bridge) a bid that is higher than your opponent's bid (especially when your partner has not bid at all and your bid exceeds the value of your hand))

pre-empt; preempt; preemptive bid (a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding)

Holonyms ("bidding" is a part of...):

bridge (any of various card games based on whist for four players)

Derivation:

bid (make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands)

 Context examples 

My late master withdrew, bidding me farewell, and saying he had left me in a good service; to which I replied not a word, only making him a slight bow.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

And if he is the lovely Lady, I shall pretend to spring upon her, and so compel her to do my bidding.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

‘On no condition?’ I asked, at the bidding of our tyrant.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

When Keesh arrived a messenger was sent to him, bidding him come to the council.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

I heard him say:—I am here to do Your bidding, Master. I am Your slave, and You will reward me, for I shall be faithful.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“Hoist in your boat, I said,” he repeated, this time in sharper tones as they hesitated to do his bidding.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It was the very voice of Maple White Land bidding us good-bye.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So the four brothers took their walking-sticks in their hands, and their little bundles on their shoulders, and after bidding their father goodbye, went all out at the gate together.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

And yet I done your bidding with my eyes shut and never a word of hope!

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Bidding adieu to landlord and to champion, therefore, he set off at a gallop, and soon overtook the two archers.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)