betimes

Etymology

From Middle English bitimes, from bi (“by”) + time + adverbial -s. Equivalent to betime + -s. Compare also betides.

adv

1. (dated) In good season or time; early, especially in the morning; seasonably.
   Smart lad to slip betimes away From fields where glory does not stay. 1896, A. E. Housman, “To An Athlete Dying Young,”, in A Shropshire Lad
   I was up betimes in the morning, but Holmes was afoot earlier still, for I saw him as I dressed, coming up the drive. 1902, Arthur Conan Doyle, chapter 13, in The Hound of the Baskervilles
   However they dined very early, for the winter dusk fell betimes at this season …. 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance (Avignon Quintet), Faber & Faber, published 2004, page 786
2. (archaic) In a short time, soon; quickly, forthwith.
   [O]ne prayed God right heartily aloud that He would send them betimes a knight that durst convoy them through this strait pass. 1898, The High History of the Holy Graal, translated by Sebastian Evans, Branch IX, Title II
   Reproving betimes with sharpness...and afterward showing forth an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved[…] 1839, Doctrine and Covenants, 121:43