from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tidings \Ti"dings\, n. pl. [OE. tidinge, ti?inge, tidinde, from
or influenced by Icel. t[imac]?indi; akin to Dan. tidende,
Sw. tidning, G. zeung, AS. t[imac]dan to happen, E. betide,
tide. See {Tide}, v. i. & n.]
Account of what has taken place, and was not before known;
news.
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I shall make my master glad with these tidings. --Shak.
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Full well the busy whisper, circling round,
Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned.
--Goldsmith.
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Note: Although tidings is plural in form, it has been used
also as a singular. By Shakespeare it was used
indiscriminately as a singular or plural.
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Now near the tidings of our comfort is. --Shak.
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Tidings to the contrary
Are brought your eyes. --Shak.
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Syn: News; advice; information; intelligence.
Usage: {Tidings}, {News}. The term news denotes recent
intelligence from any quarter; the term tidings
denotes intelligence expected from a particular
quarter, showing what has there betided. We may be
indifferent as to news, but are always more or less
interested in tidings. We read the news daily; we wait
for tidings respecting an absent friend or an
impending battle. We may be curious to hear the news;
we are always anxious for tidings.
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Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
--Milton.
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What tidings dost thou bring? --Addison.
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