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

To BYSSE, BIZZ, v. n. To make a hissing noise, as hot iron plunged into water, S.
Douglas.

Belg. bies-en, to hiss like serpents.

BISSE, BIZZ, s. A hissing noise, S.
Ferguson.

BYSSYM, BYSYM, BESUM, BYSN, BISSOME, BUSSOME, BYSNING, s.
1. A monster.
Houlate.
2. A prodigy, something portentous of calamity.
Knox.
3. Bysim is still used as a term highly expressive of contempt for a woman of an unworthy character, S.
V. [Bisming].

Mr Macpherson, vo. Bysynt, mentions A. S. bysmorfull, horrendus. Isl. bysmarfull has the same sense; bysna, to portend; bysn, a prodigy, grande quod ac ingens, G. Andr.

BISTAYD, BISTODE, pret. Perhaps, surrounded.
Sir Tristrem.

A. S. bestod, circumdedit, from bestand-an, Teut. besteen, circumsistere, circumdare.

BYSTOUR, BOYSTURE, s. A term of contempt; the precise meaning of which seems to be lost.
Polwart.

Several similar terms occur, as Fr. bistorié, crooked, boister, to limp; bustarin, a great lubber.

BIT, s. A vulgar term used for food, S.
Bit and baid, meat and clothing, S. B.
Ross.