abed

¹

[ uh-bed ]

adverb

1. in bed:

   to stay abed late on Sundays.

2. confined to bed.

A.B.Ed.

²

abbreviation for

1. Bachelor of Arts in Education.

abed

/ əˈbɛd /

adverb

1. archaic.
   in bed

Word History and Origins

Origin of abed¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–1300; a- ¹, bed

Example Sentences

But we have also filled our cemeteries with those who defied the remedies of sunshine and citrus, and died abed anyway.

From Los Angeles Times

“I shall lie abed late, and do nothing,” replied Meg, from the depths of the rocking chair.

From Literature

I cursed the laziness of the servants that they should lie abed at such an hour—for it was now ten o’clock—and so rang and knocked again, but more impatiently, but still without response.

From Literature

Above the narrow little room where May and Timothy sit plotting, their father lies abed, his wits gone haywire.

From New York Times

It’s even in the language: A commonly used word in Arabic for a Black person is “abed,” meaning slave.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comatose
• unconscious