1864. Blackwood’s Magazine, XCV., p. 73. [At dinner] portions of beef were served out to the boys ... the BIBLE-CLERK meanwhile reading a chapter from the Old Testament. Ibid., p. 87. An hour ... is expected to be employed in working under the superintendence of the BIBLE-CLERK, as the Præfect in daily “course” is termed, who is responsible for a decent amount of order and silence at these hours.
1878. Adams, Wykehamica, p. 59. There appears to have been no regular BIBLE-CLERK.... From this it has been inferred that the institution of these offices must have been subsequent, and (some think) long subsequent, to the Founder’s time.
Bibler. See Bibling.
Bibling (or Bibler), subs. (Winchester: obsolete).—A flogging of six strokes. Hence BIBLING-ROD = the instrument used in BIBLING: it consisted of a handle with four apple twigs in the end twisted together. It was first used by Warden Baker in 1454, and is represented in the Aut Disce. Bibling under nail = a BIBLING administered for very heinous offences after an offender had stood under NAIL (q.v.).
1864. Blackwood’s Magazine, XCV., p. 79. Underneath is the place of execution, where delinquents are BIBLED. Ibid., p. 72. It need hardly be said that it [the rod] is applied in the ordinary fashion: six cuts forming what is technically called a BIBLING—on which occasions the Bible-Clerk introduces the victim; four being the sum of a less terrible operation called a “scrubbing.”
1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 37. Underneath is the place of execution, where delinquents are BIBLED; and near it is a socket for a candle-sconce, known as the “nail,” under which any boy who has been detected in any disgraceful fault—lying, &c.—is placed as in a sort of pillory to await his punishment; a piece of ancient discipline for which happily there is seldom occasion.
Bicker, subs. (Royal High School, Edin.).—A fray between the boys of the school and the town boys, or KEELIES (q.v.); generally waged with the aid of stones (cf. George Borrow’s Lavengro, ch. vii.; also Scott, Redgauntlet, ch. i.). In the present Rector’s boyhood these school fights were often waged with “Cowts,” made of a rope twisted firmly into a thick end, with about four feet attached with which to swing it.
... Cursor Mundi, MS. Coll. Trin. Cantab., f. 87. And for she loveth me out of BIKER, Of my love she may be siker.
1581. Riche, Farewell to Militarie Profession. My captaine, feelyng suche a BICKERYNG within himself, the like whereof he had never indured upon the sea, was like to bee taken prisoner aboard his owne shippe.
1585. Nomenclator. Naturæ et morbi conflictus, Aurel. κρίσις. The conflict or BICKERMENT of nature and sicknesse.