Middle English Dictionary Entry
besagu n.
Entry Info
| Forms | besagu n. Also besagew, besgue. |
| Etymology | OF besague two-edged ax. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A piece of plate armor protecting the armpit, a palette; (b) ?a two-edged ax, ?a palette.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.68 : Þer wer woiders frettid in þe maille..Vauntbras with wynges, & rerebras þerto, And þeron wer set besagus also.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)3887 : Above hys arneys he had a cote..On eche Shulder of steele a besagew [Add: besgue].
b
- (1435) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)66 : [A] peire rerebras, [a] peire gloves of plates, [2] besagues, [a] pollax, [a] bore spere.