Obs. Also (6 beatillia), 7 beteela, betille, 7–8 bettily, bettillee, bettelle, betellee, 8 betelle, betteela. [A word without any fixed form written or spoken, of constant occurrence in the East Indian trade in 17–18th c. It appears to be identified with the Pg. beatilha ‘linen to make white veils for women,’ Sp. beatilla ‘sort of fine thin linen’; but whether this is = med.L. beatilla, dim. of beata a nun, a religious ‘sister’ (see Du Cange, and cf. BATTALIA [pie]), or whether it was originally an oriental word, which assumed that form in Pg. under the influence of pop. etymol., is uncertain.] A kind of muslin formerly imported from the East Indies.
1598. W. Phillips, Linschoten’s Trav. Ind., 28 (Y.). This linnen … is called … Beatillias, Satopassas.
1685. in J. T. Wheeler, Madras in O. T., I. 149 (Y.). To servants, 3 pieces beteelaes.
1687. Lond. Gaz., No. 2269/3. 2000 pieces of Betilles Otisaeles, 1400 pieces of Betilles Calemapho, etc. Ibid., No. 2273/7. Bettelles.
1696. Merchants Wareho., 2. Musling called Bettilies, which is of general use for cravats. Ibid., 3. Very thin, but … very little worse than the first Bettily that I have mentioned.
1703. Lond. Gaz., No. 3933/4. The Cargo … consisting of Long Cloth, Sallampoores, Betelles.
1721. C. King, Brit. Merch., I. 310. Betellees or fine Muslins.
1727. A. Hamilton, Acc. E. Ind., I. 264 (Y.). This country [Sundah] produced the finest Betteelas or Muslins in India.
