Pronunciation: [ɐbˈɛd] (IPA) 
The word "abed" is commonly spelled with an "e" at the end, but this isn't always the case. It can also be spelled as just "abed" without the "e." The correct pronunciation is /əˈbɛd/ with a short "e" sound. The word is an adverb that means "in bed." While the spelling variations may cause confusion, it is important to ensure the pronunciation is correct to avoid any communication breakdown.
Abed is an adverb that refers to a position, preferably lying down, someone takes while being on a bed. It denotes the act of being in bed or under covers, suggesting rest, relaxation, or sleep. "Abed" is often used to describe a temporary state of tranquility or repose while occupying a bed, indicating a setting reserved for rest or slumber. The term can be applied to both daytime napping and nighttime sleep, as well as moments of relaxation or recovery from illness.
The word "abed" is derived from Middle English and can be further broken down into "a-", meaning "in" or "on," and "bed," which refers to the furniture piece primarily used for sleeping. As such, "abed" generally conveys the notion of being situated within the confines of a bed, encompassing both the physical act of lying down and the mental state associated with being in a resting position.
The usage of "abed" is commonly found in literature, poetic works, bedtime stories, or other forms of storytelling where a person's activities are being described while they are in bed. It adds a descriptive element to the narrative, capturing the reader's imagination and grounding the characters or events within a particular context of relaxation or slumber.
On or in bed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "abed" traces its origin to Middle English and Old English.
In Middle English, the word appeared as "abedde" and "on bedde", both of which mean "in bed". These forms were derived from the Old English phrase "on bedde", which had the same meaning.
The term "bedde" itself can be traced back to Proto-Germanic, where it appeared as "badjom". It further stems from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bhedh-" which means "to dig, to make a bed".
Over time, the word evolved from "abedde" and "on bedde" to the modern form "abed". It is still used today to describe being in bed or in a state of lying down.
