bed n. & v. --n. 1 a a
piece of
furniture used
for sleeping
on, usu. a
framework with a
mattress and coverings. b
such a mattress, with or
without coverings. 2
any place used by a
person or
animal for
sleep or rest; a
litter. 3 a a
garden plot,
esp.
one used for planting flowers. b a place
where other things
may be
grown (osier bed). 4
the use of a bed: a colloq. for
sexual intercourse (only thinks of bed). b for rest (needs
his bed). 5
something flat, forming a
support or base as
in: a the
bottom of the
sea or a
river. b the foundations of a road or
railway. c the slates etc. on a billiard-table. 6 a
stratum, such as a
layer of oysters etc. --v. (bedded, bedding) 1 tr. & intr. (usu. foll. by down) put or go to bed. 2 tr. colloq.
have sexual intercourse with. 3 tr. (usu. foll. by out)
plant in a garden bed. 4 tr.
cover up or
fix firmly in something. 5 a tr.
arrange as a layer. b intr. be or
form a layer. øbed and
board 1
lodging and
food. 2
marital relations. bed and
breakfast 1 one night's lodging and breakfast in a
hotel etc. 2 an
establishment that provides
this. bed of roses a
life of
ease.
brought to bed (often foll. by of) delivered of a
child.
get out of bed on the
wrong side be
bad-tempered all day long. go to bed 1
retire for the
night. 2 have sexual intercourse. 3 (of a newspaper) go to press.
keep one's bed stay in bed
because of
illness.
make the bed
tidy and arrange the bed for use. make one's bed and lie in it
accept the consequences of one's acts. put to bed 1
cause to go to bed. 2 make (a newspaper)
ready for press.
take to one's bed stay in bed because of illness. [OE bed(d), beddian f. Gmc]
