From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
bid
n 1: an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
[syn: command, bid, bidding, dictation]
2: an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for
power"; "he made a bid to gain attention" [syn: bid,
play]
3: a formal proposal to buy at a specified price [syn: bid,
tender]
4: (bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to
contract to make [syn: bid, bidding]
v 1: propose a payment; "The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for
the painting" [syn: offer, bid, tender]
2: invoke upon; "wish you a nice evening"; "bid farewell" [syn:
wish, bid]
3: ask for or request earnestly; "The prophet bid all people to
become good persons" [syn: bid, beseech, entreat,
adjure, press, conjure]
4: make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands;
"He called his trump" [syn: bid, call]
5: make a serious effort to attain something; "His campaign bid
for the attention of the poor population"
6: ask someone in a friendly way to do something [syn: invite,
bid]