n. Tidings. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. pl. [ OE. tidinge, ti&unr_;inge, tidinde, from or influenced by Icel. tī&unr_;indi; akin to Dan. tidende, Sw. tidning, G. zeung, AS. tīdan to happen, E. betide, tide. See Tide, v. i. & n. ] Account of what has taken place, and was not before known; news. [ 1913 Webster ]
I shall make my master glad with these tidings. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Full well the busy whisper, circling round,
Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ Although tidings is plural in form, it has been used also as a singular. By Shakespeare it was used indiscriminately as a singular or plural. [ 1913 Webster ]
Now near the tidings of our comfort is. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Tidings to the contrary
Are brought your eyes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
What tidings dost thou bring? Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]