bezant

[ bez-uhnt, bih-zant ]

noun

1. Also bezzant. the gold solidus of the Byzantine Empire, widely circulated in the Middle Ages.
2. Also byz·ant []. (in Romanesque architecture) any of a number of disklike ornaments, similar in form to the classical patera, used especially on the faces of archivolts.

bezant

/ ˈbɛzənt; bɪˈzænt /

noun

1. a medieval Byzantine gold coin
2. architect an ornament in the form of a flat disc
3. heraldry a small gold circle

Word History and Origins

Origin of bezant¹

1150–1200; Middle English besant < Old French < Latin byzantius (nummus) “Byzantine (coin)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bezant¹

C13: from Old French besant , from Medieval Latin Bӯzantius Byzantine (coin)

Example Sentences

A bezant was a gold coin, originally struck at Byzantium, whence the name.

From Project Gutenberg

At Samara we find Mr. Bezant, one of our consignees, just recovering from the typhus which was contracted in his relief work.

From Project Gutenberg

There were moneys of various nations, even to the Spanish pistole and Turkish bezant.

From Project Gutenberg

She made no reply, but took from a pocket a bezant, and contrived to throw its yellow gleam in the sentinel's eyes.

From Project Gutenberg