battel

[ bat-l ]

noun

1. an account with or terminal bill from a college of Oxford University for board, kitchen, and buttery expenses.
2. battels, expenses, bills, and accounts of a student at Oxford, including those for clothing, books, and personal expenses as well as for tuition, lodging, and food.

verb (used without object)

, bat·teled, bat·tel·ing.

1. to have an account with or to be supplied with food and drink from a college kitchen or buttery at Oxford University.

Other Words From

• battel·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of battel¹

First recorded 1700–10; of uncertain origin; compare New Latin batillī, battillī, batellae, probably to be identified with late Middle English batell, battle, taken to mean “charge for provisions”; kinship with Scots, northern England dialect ba(i)ttle “rich, fattening (of pasture)” is dubious

Example Sentences

Battel further observes, that when one of these animals dies the rest cover his body with leaves and branches of trees.

From Project Gutenberg

When this battel was ended, the king wanted of all his numbers but thrée hundred, which were slaine at that conflict.

From Project Gutenberg

It is that he may have speech with you, alone, in the castle of Battel this night.

From Project Gutenberg

No names are believed to be in this “Battel Roll,” which are not fully entitled to the distinction.

From Project Gutenberg

This truth is extremely obvious in the old black-letter lawbooks on the subject of "trial by battel."

From Project Gutenberg