An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

BAL, BALL, the initial syllable of a great many names of places in Scotland.

Ir. Gael. baile, ball, a place or town; Su. G. Isl. bol, id. domicilium, sedes, villa, from bo, bo-a, bu-a, to dwell, to inhabit.

BALAS, s. A sort of precious stone, said to be brought from Balassia in India.

Fr. balais, bastard ruby.

BALAX, s. A hatchet, Aberd.

Isl. bolyxe, Su. G. baalyxa, a large axe.

BALBEIS, s. pl. Halfpence.
V. [Babie].
Maitland Poems.

BALD, BAULD, adj.
1. Bold, intrepid, S.
Wyntown.
2. Irascible, S.
Douglas.
3. Pungent to the taste, or keenly affecting the organ of smelling, S.
4. Keen, biting; expressive of the state of the atmosphere, S.
Davidson.
5. Certain, assured.
Henrysone.
6. Used obliquely, bright; as "a bald moon."
Kelly.

A. S. bald, beald, Su. G. Alem. Germ. bald, audax.

To BALD, v. a. To embolden.
Douglas.