biga

[ bee-gah, -guh, bahy- ]

/ ˈbi gɑ, -gə, ˈbaɪ- /

a two-wheeled chariot drawn by two horses harnessed abreast.

QUIZZES

Nourish your vocabulary with a refresher on the words from the week of September 14–20, 2020!

Question 1 of 7

What does “blatherskite” mean?

1840–50; <Latin bīga, bīgae, for *biiuga (bi-bi-¹ + iug(um) yoke¹ + -a feminine nominative singular ending)

In the island of Catanduanes are the curacies of Biga and Birac, with their visitas.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 (Vol 28 of 55)|Various
Here also was made the rare discovery of the skeletons of two horses, with the remains of a biga.
Museum of Antiquity|L. W. Yaggy
Farther on is the village of Biga, with a population of about one hundred and fifty Indians.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803, Volume V., 1582-1583|Various
The Biga is made in imitation of the moon, the Quadriga of the sun.
The Letters of Cassiodorus|Cassiodorus (AKA Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator)

The biga itself consists of a seat resting on the axle, with a rail at each side to protect the driver from the wheels.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8|Various