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bice

[bahys]
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noun
  1. bice blue
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Origin of bice

Middle English < Middle French bis ‘dark’, of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bice

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • I have ever sung, and will for ever sing, the most glorious of His works: and yet, O Bice!

  • The others would all be collected about the fire, but Bice never approached the fire.

    Sir Tom

    Mrs. Oliphant

  • The Contessa did not turn her head or change her position when Bice entered.

    Sir Tom

    Mrs. Oliphant

  • I was aware that settlements were very troublesome, but I had not thought it possible—Bice!

    Sir Tom

    Mrs. Oliphant

  • Bice turned one ear to her patroness with a startled look of interrogation.

    Sir Tom

    Mrs. Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for bice

bice

noun
  1. Also called: bice blue a medium blue colour; azurite
  2. Also called: bice green a yellowish-green colour; malachite
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Word Origin

C14: from Old French bis dark grey, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bice

n.

"pale blue color," early 15c., shortened from blew bis "blue bice," from French bis "swarthy, brownish-gray" (12c.), cognate with Italian bigio; of unknown origin. Via French combinations azur bis, vert bis the word came into English with a sense of "blue" or "green."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper