[Coalesced from bed’s side in prep. phrases like ‘by the beddes side’ = beside the bed; thus not a true compound.] Place or position by a bed: used in various phrases, to signify proximity to, companionship with, or attendance on, one confined to bed.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Parl. Foules, 99. Right at my beddis side.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 1364. The damyselle … Set hymn on her bed-syde.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., i. 3. My wif … wolle hyde his body by hire beddys syde.
1628. Earle, Microcosm., 11. A meer dull Physician; His practice is some business at bed-sides.
1713. Swift, Fr. J. Denny, Wks. 1755, III. I. 145. Snatched up a peruke-block that stood by the bedside.
1752. Mrs. Lennox, Fem. Quix., I. III. viii. 176. Never-ceasing attendance at the bed-side of her sick father.
1840. Thirlwall, Greece, VII. lv. 94. He instantly hurried to his friend’s bedside.
