bezant
Americannoun
-
Also bezzant the gold solidus of the Byzantine Empire, widely circulated in the Middle Ages.
-
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.
noun
-
a medieval Byzantine gold coin
-
architect an ornament in the form of a flat disc
-
heraldry a small gold circle
Etymology
Origin of bezant
1150–1200; Middle English besant < Old French < Latin byzantius (nummus) “Byzantine (coin)”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He went to market to buy sheep, and had two for a bezant.
From Italian Popular Tales by Thomas Frederick Crane
Not a bezant of which I have the bequeathing.
From The Path of the King by John Buchan
A circle in or, i. e., gold, representing the gold coin called bezant.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Noah Webster
She made no reply, but took from a pocket a bezant, and contrived to throw its yellow gleam in the sentinel's eyes.
From The Prince of India — Volume 02 by Lewis Wallace
"A bezant, Master Falconer!—By my faith, you are no bold bodesman! nevertheless, double your offer, and I will consider it."
From The Betrothed by Sir Walter Scott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
