Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†BESLE, Bezle, Basle, v. and n.
1. v. (See quot.)Ags. 1808 Jam.:
To Besle, or Bezle. To talk much at random, to talk inconsiderately and boldly on a subject that one is ignorant of.
2. n. “Idle talking” (Ib.). Also basle, bezle (Jam.5).
[Cf. L.Ger. baseln, to be mad, puzzled (Berghaus); Du. bazelen, to talk nonsense, freq. of basen, bazen, to rave. See Bense, s.v. basel.]
