Begum. A lady of high rank in the East, a princess in India, or the wife of a Turkish beg (generally corrupted into bey) or Governor.
Beldame. From the French Belle-dame, “fine lady.” The meaning has now been corrupted from a lady entitled to the utmost respect on account of age or position to an ugly old woman.
Belgium. From the Belgæ, the name given by Cæsar to the warlike people who overran this portion of Gaul.
Belgravia. The fashionable district of which Belgrave Square is the centre, after one of the titles of the Duke of Westminster, the ground landlord.
Bell. A tavern sign, originally denoting a haunt for the lovers of sport, where a silver bell constituted the prize.
Bell, Book, and Candle. The instruments used by the Church in carrying out a sentence of excommunication. The bell apprised all good Christians of what was about to take place, the dread sentence was read out of the book, while the blowing out of the candle symbolised the spiritual darkness in which the excommunicated person would in future abide.
Belleisle. French for “beautiful isle.”
Beloochistan. Pursuant to the Persian stan, the country of the Belooches.
Below Par. Not up to the mark in point of health. The allusion is to Government stock not worth its nominal £100 value.
Belvedere. A public-house sign, derived from the Italian word for a pavilion built on a house-top commanding a fine prospect.