Meanings
alternative timous
- ScotlandSouth Africaespeciallynot comparableIn sufficient time; timely; in (its) proper time or season.
We sincerely hope, however, that a timeous and speedy adoption of energetic and conciliatory measures will waft such a dreadful calamity far distant from our homes, and restore that confidence in society so necessary for the welfare of a commercial community.
1831, The Radical Reformer's Currycomb; Or, Scrub for Scrub, page 21 more example
Now, the pursuer avers that he sent timeous notice, in terms of the conditions, to the defender, the seller. Be it observed that the words are that the objection must be intimated to the auctioneers not later than 7 p.m. on the following Friday, not that the intimation must be received by them not later than that hour.
1919, The Scottish Law Review and Sheriff Court Reports, page 93Synonyms: opportune, seasonable
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveIn sufficient time; timely; in (its) proper time or season.
Origin
- Middle Englishtymous
- Englishtimeous
From earlier timous, from Middle English tymous, *tymwos, *tymwis (“early”), equivalent to timewise. Cognate with Scots timeous (“timely”). By surface analysis, time + -ous.
More words from Middle English
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
timeous. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/timeous
“timeous.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/timeous. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “timeous,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/timeous.
Source: timeous on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.