battle

1) The verb could mean ‘to furnish with battlements’ and it was used frequently in bridge-building accounts where it had to do with the construction of the parapets.

In such contexts it is on record some time before the noun. In 1533, John Watterhouse of Skircoat bequeathed four shillings towardes the battillyng of Sowreby brig and in 1602 it was agreed that the mason working at Apperley should pave and battle all the said bridge throughout on both sides. Less usual is a reference to 'battled' furniture: 1518 To the making of the deskes in the said church xls. To the battelyng of the same xxs, Staunton.

dates 1518 1533 1602

Related Content Loading...

Photo by Kreuzschnabel CC BY-SA 3.0