*da-

late 12c., bitiden, "to happen, come to pass," from be- + tiden "to happen" (see tide (n.) in its original sense). The transitive sense of "happen to (someone)" is from early 13c.

It survives, if at all, in the expression woe betide! (late 14c.). Middle English also had itide "happen, come to pass," from Old English getidan; the phrase itide what bitide (c. 1300) was "come what may."

a transliteration of Greek daimōn "lesser god, guiding spirit, tutelary deity," 1852; see demon. Employed to avoid the post-classical associations of demon. Related: Daimonic.