English edit

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Etymology edit

From Middle French besaieul, besayel, from Old French beseel, from Latin bis (twice) + aviolus, diminutive of avus (grandfather).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /bɪˈseɪ.əl/, /bɪˈseɪl/

Noun edit

besaiel (plural besaiels)

  1. (obsolete) A great-grandfather.
    • 1840, Collectanea topographica et genealogica:
      Herry Percy, knyght, Besaile to the said then Erle []
  2. (law, obsolete) A kind of writ which formerly lay where a great-grandfather died seized of lands in fee simple, and on the day of his death a stranger abated or entered and kept the heir out.
    • 1598, John Kitchin, Le court leete et court baron:
      In a Writ of Besayle he shall not have the View.

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