A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Besant, Besand, n. Also: besaunt, beisand, bassant. [ME. besant(e, besand, besaund(e, etc., OF. besan, L. byzantius.] The gold coin called a bezant. Also attrib. with wecht.1456 Hay II. 128/29.
Grathit with precious jowalis, uchis, and besantis Ib. 136/2.
Suppos he ete … vij or viij besaunt weicht of rasynis a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1086.
I wil noght turn myn entent … For besandis or beryell a1568 Kennedy Bann. MS. 268 a/18.
Brotches, beisandis, robbis and ringis 15.. Clar. iii. 1014.
The nobill Countes … Gart twentie goldin bassants to tham give c1550 Rolland C. Venus i. 893.
I nill it gif without ane gold besant
