Obs. Forms: 1 biʓ-, bígyrdel, 2 bygerdel, 3–4 bi-, bygurdel, bygirdel, 5 bygirdylle, 6 bygyrdell, -yll. [OE. bígyrdel (= OFris. bígerdel, OHG. bígurtil, MHG. bígürtel), f. same elements as begyrdan to BEGIRD, with accented form of the prefix: for the suffix, cf. gyrdel GIRDLE.]
That which begirds; a girdle or belt; also, from the use of this, a purse, money-bag.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. x. 9. Næbbe ʓe gold … on eowrum bigyrdlum [1160 Hatton G. bygerdlen].
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 117. Fiscus, uel saccus publicus, biʓgyrdel.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 124. Ane monne þet wurpe up on him a bigurdel ful of ponewes.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. IX. 79. Þe Bagges and þe Bigurdeles [v.r. bygirdles] he haþ broken hem alle. Ibid. (1393), C. XI. 85. Þe bygurdeles.
1483. Cath. Angl., 31. A Bygirdylle, marsupium, renale.
1532. Ort. Voc., Renale, a bygyrdyll, est zona circa renes.
