[Richardson suggests the following:--"The French at this day apply
the word _bigot_ to one superstitiously religious; not certainly
from the oath _be-got_, as Menage thinks, but rather from the
A.-S. _bigan_, colere; and hence also _begine_, a religious woman.
(Wachter in v. _Bein-Gott_.)"
Cotgrave says, "Bigot, an old Norman word (signifying as much as
'_de par Dieu_,' or our 'for God's sake') made good French, and
signifying an hypocrite, or one that seemeth much more holy than
he is: also, a scrupulous, or superstitious fellow."
Speight says, "_Begin_, _bigot_, superstitious, hypocrite." Upon
which Thynne remarks, "whiche sence I knowe y't maye somewhat
beare, because y't sauorethe of the dispositione of those _Begins_
or _Beguines_, for that ys the true wrytinge."]
Replies.