Obs. exc. dial. [f. BODE sb.2 + WORD. Only northern.]
† 1. Commandment, behest. Obs.
c. 1200. Ormin, 4377. Þa tene bodewordess.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 361. For ðhu min bodeword haues broken.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter ii. 6 (Mätz.). Spelland his bodeworde.
† 2. Message, announcement. Obs.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 2880. Godes bode-wurd bringe ic.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., 44. Hou sain Jon bodword broht bald. He was ryt Cristes messager.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XV. 423. Or this avow soyne bodword was Brocht till schir Iames of douglass.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 58. Gladly they wold me greyf, If I syche bodworde broght.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. vi. 4. Of peax and concord bodword brocht agane.
a. 1700. Ballad ‘Batt. Harlaw.’ Sent nae bodword back again.
3. Premonition, presage.
1832–53. Whistle-binkie (Sc. Songs), Ser. III. 84. Sae braw a mornin’ gae a bodeword fell, That some wanchance was no that far awa.
