battel

American  

[bat-l] / ˈbæt 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)

batteled, batteling

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

Other Word Forms

• batteler noun

Etymology

Origin of battel

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

A few days ago I was put in charge of helpin to feed the reb prisners that we took in this battel.

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

You tell Jeth to save all the papers about this battel that Im tellin you about.

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

Ifyouve read of Hookers boys afitin the battel up on Lookout you kno that it was fine.

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

William Ashford, of course, acting under the advice of those who really promoted the appeal, declined to accept Thornton's wager of battel.

From Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham A History and Guide Arranged Alphabetically by Harman, Thomas T.

Yes, but battel bills always come in at the beginning of term when they are flush of money.

From Tom Brown at Oxford by Hughes, Thomas