Obs. Also 4 bitale, 6 bytaile. [f. bi-, BY- + TALE.] a. A parable; cf. BYSPEL 1. b. An irrelevant tale, a tale by the way.
a. 1300. Life of Jesus (Horstm.), 242 (Mätz). Ore louerd prechede þat folk … And seide heom þar to ane bitale.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet., 48. Tel me no bytailes, such as are to no purpose.
