bidet|bidɛ,bɪˈdɛt|[a. F. bidet pony; of unknown origin:cf.OF.bider (Godefroy) to trot. In 16th c. the F. word meant also some small kind of dagger. (The Celtic comparisons made by Diez and Littré are rejected by Thurneysen.)]1.A small horse.1630B. JonsonChlorid.Wks.(1838) 656,I will return to myself, mount my bidet, in a dance, and curvet upon my curtal.1828DisraeliChas.I, I. ii. 18Then there are thanks for two bidets which Henry sends him.1863SalaCapt.Dangerous II. vi. 202,I trotted behind on a little Bidet.2.|ˈbiːdeɪ|. ‘A vessel on a low, narrow stand, which can be bestridden’ (Syd.Soc.Lex.) for bathing purposes. Nowusu.a shallow oval basin fitted in a bathroom, used for washing the perineum.1766SmollettTrav.I. v. 64Will custom exempt from the imputation of gross indecency a French lady, who shifts her frousy smock in presence of a male visitant, and talks to him of her lavement, her medecine, and her bidet!1785GroseDict.Vulg.Tongue,Bidet, commonly pronounced biddy, a kind of tub, contrived for ladies to wash themselves, for which purpose they bestride it like a little French poney, or post horse, called in France bidets.1801Ann.Reg.1799 401/1A machine answering the purposes of a portable water-closet, or bidet, and easy chair.1959R. GantWorld in Jug 60We checked into our hotel near the Opéra and the boys joked about the bidets.