bezant

Also bes·ant

[bez-uhnt, bih-zant]

noun

1. Also bezzant the gold solidus of the Byzantine Empire, widely circulated in the Middle Ages.

2. Also byzant (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

Trussel’s fret is remarkable for its bezants at the joints, which stand, doubtless, for the golden nail-heads of the “trellis” suggested by his name.

From Project Gutenberg

A circle in or, i. e., gold, representing the gold coin called bezant.

From Project Gutenberg

As sure as that I have six silver bezants Upon a field of azure.

From Project Gutenberg

Cole of Cornwall bears, inter alia, a bordure sable, charged alternately with bezants and annulets.

From Project Gutenberg

Erm. on a chief indented G. three ducks A. Crest: a fox az. bezant� collared with a coronet O. AMANUENSIS.

From Project Gutenberg