Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun obsolete A
proverb . - noun An
example . - noun obsolete, by extension A
person used as an example, either positively or negatively; one who has become abyword for anyremarkable quality . - noun obsolete An
exceptional orwonderful character. - noun obsolete A family
outcast ;bastard . - noun obsolete An accidental piece of good fortune; a wonderful stroke of luck or dexterity.
- noun obsolete A mischievous person (usually applied to youngsters); an awkward figure.
- noun obsolete A natural child.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Middle English bispel, byspell, from Old English, bīspel, biġspel ("proverb, parable, example, story"), from bī- ("by") + spel ("talk, story"), equivalent to by- + spell. Cognate with Middle Dutch bijspel ("proverb, parable"), Low German bispeel ("example"), German Beispiel ("example"). More at by-, spell.
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Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
sionnach commented on the word byspel
the outcast of a family.
January 2, 2008