Obs. Also 3–4 bitime, 4 bityme, 4–6 betyme, 6 bytime, -tyme. [properly a phrase: ME. bi-, by-time, i.e., by time.]
1. In good time, early, seasonably:
a. 1300. Cursor M., 4321. Bettur it es bi-time to stint þan folu þi prai þat es bot tint.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 452. ffor who so ȝeuyth a ȝifte or doth a grace, Do it be tyme his thank is wel the more.
1509. Hawes, Conv. Swearers, 20. Amende by tyme lest I take vengeaunce.
1595. Shaks., John, IV. iii. 98. Put vp thy sword betime.
a. 1632. Bp. M. Smyth, Serm., 274. She was very betime … lewd or naught.
2. spec. At an early hour, early in the day.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 1088. Elles sulen he brennen and forfaren, If he ne bi time heðe[n] waren.
a. 1300. K. Horn, 965. For ischal beo þer bitime, A soneday bi pryme.
1558. Warde, Alexis’ Secr. (1568), 42 a. In the morninge betime take some of the foresaied preservatives.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. iv. 20. To businesse that we loue, we rise betime.
1630. Pagitt, Christianogr., III. (1636), 78. Upon Saturday morning betime.
