Bachelor or Bachelier has been derived from bas échelle, the lowest step of the ladder. (Meyrick.)
Baccha, Gr. and R. A Bacchante; a woman who celebrates the mysteries of Bacchus, in the temples of the god, or in the Bacchic orgies. In the numerous representations of Bacchantes which occur on monuments of ancient art, they carry the thyrsus in their right hands, and wear a wreath of ivy or vine-leaves on their heads. They appear also in the disguise of Lenæ, Thyades, Naiads, Nymphs, &c.
Bacchanalia, R. (Greek, Dionysia). Festivals held in honour of Dionysus or Bacchus.
Bacchos, Gr. and R. A short, richly ornamented thyrsus, carried by the Mystæ, at Eleusis, on occasion of their being initiated in the mysteries. There was a proverb in Greece which said: “Many carry the Bacchos, but few are inspired by the gods.”
Bacillum (dimin. of Baculum, q.v.). A small wand, especially the lictor’s wand.
Backgammon, originally called table board, is mentioned in a MS. of the 13th century. The name of bag-gamon is first found in 1646.
Baculum, Baculus, R. A general term to denote any kind of staff, except such as form the insignia of any rank or office, or are employed in certain professions.
Fig. 54. Badge of King Henry V. in his chantry in Westminster Abbey.
