Basilisk, fabulous reptile, believed to slay with its eye.

Basket, used for the broken provision collected for prisoners.

Bason, basons, etc., were beaten by the attendant mob when bad characters were “carted.”

Bate, be reduced; abate, reduce.

BATOON, baton, stick.

Batten, feed, grow fat.

BAWSON, badger.

Beadsman, prayer-man, one engaged to pray for another.

Beagle, small hound; fig. spy.

Bear in hand, keep in suspense, deceive with false hopes.

BEARWARD, bear leader.

BEDPHERE.  See Phere.

BEDSTAFF, (?) wooden pin in the side of the bedstead for supporting the bedclothes (Johnson); one of the sticks or “laths”; a stick used in making a bed.

Beetle, heavy mallet.

Beg, “I’d—­him,” the custody of minors and idiots was begged for; likewise property fallen forfeit to the Crown ("your house had been begged").

Bell-man, night watchman.

Benjamin, an aromatic gum.

BERLINA, pillory.

BESCUMBER, defile.

BESLAVE, beslabber.

BESOGNO, beggar.

BESPAWLE, bespatter.

Bethlehem Gabor, Transylvanian hero, proclaimed King of Hungary.

Bever, drinking.

Bevis, sir, knight of romance whose horse was equally celebrated.

Bewray, reveal, make known.

BEZANT, heraldic term:  small gold circle.

BEZOAR’S stone, a remedy known by this name was a
supposed antidote to poison.

Bid-stand, highwayman.

Biggin, cap, similar to that worn by the Beguines; nightcap.

BILIVE (belive), with haste.

Bilk, nothing, empty talk.

Bill, kind of pike.

Billet, wood cut for fuel, stick.

BIRDING, thieving.

Black Sanctus, burlesque hymn, any unholy riot.

Blank, originally a small French coin.

Blank, white.

Blanket, toss in a blanket.

Blaze, outburst of violence.

Blaze, (her.) blazon; publish abroad.

Blazon, armorial bearings; fig. all that pertains to good birth and breeding.

BLIN, “withouten—­,” without ceasing.

Blow, puff up.

Blue, colour of servants’ livery, hence “—­order,”
“—­waiters.”

BLUSHET, blushing one.

Bob, jest, taunt.

Bob, beat, thump.

Bodge, measure.

Bodkin, dagger, or other short, pointed weapon; long pin with which the women fastened up their hair.

Bolt, roll (of material).

Bolt, dislodge, rout out; sift (boulting-tub).