Ayah. Hindustani for waiting-woman or nurse.
Aye-Vye. An animal found in Madagascar, so called from its cry.
Aylesbury Street. From the town house and garden of the Earls of Aylesbury.
Azores. The Portuguese named this group of islands Acores, the plural of acor, hawk, on account of the great number of hawks there.
Azov. A Russianised form of Asak, the name given to it by the Tartars.
B
Bacchanalia. Roman festivals in honour of Bacchus, the god of wine.
Bacchus Verses. Verses written[written] in praise or dispraise of Bacchus, and affixed to the doors of the College at Eton on “Collop Monday.”
Bachelor Girl. One who lives in her own rooms, belongs to a woman’s club, and considers herself superior to what is called home influence--a distinctly modern creation.
Backgammon. From the Saxon Bac and gamen, “back-game,” because the pieces have at times to go back and be moved up afresh.