3. An officer bearing a painted staff, who formerly was in attendance upon the king's court to take into custody persons committed by the court. Mozley & W.
Bas"yle (bs"l or bs"l), n. [Gr. ba`sis base + "y`lh wood. See -yl.] (Chem.) A positive or nonacid constituent of a compound, either elementary, or, if compound, performing the functions of an element.
Bas"y*lous (&?;), a. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, a basyle; electro-positive; basic; -- opposed to chlorous. Graham.
Bat (bt), n. [OE. batte, botte, AS. batt; perhaps fr. the Celtic; cf. Ir. bat, bata, stick, staff; but cf. also F. batte a beater (thing), wooden sword, battre to beat.]
1. A large stick; a club; specifically, a piece of wood with one end thicker or broader than the other, used in playing baseball, cricket, etc.