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 ]

Syn. -- News; advice; information; intelligence. -- Tidings, News. The term news denotes recent intelligence from any quarter; the term tidings denotes intelligence expected from a particular quarter, showing what has there betided. We may be indifferent as to news, but are always more or less interested in tidings. We read the news daily; we wait for tidings respecting an absent friend or an impending battle. We may be curious to hear the news; we are always anxious for tidings. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

What tidings dost thou bring? Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]