[dim. of Bet, abbreviation of Elizabet, -beth.]
1. A female pet name or familiar name, once fashionable (as in Lady Betty), but now chiefly rustic or homely. Hence,
2. Given in contempt to a man who occupies himself with a woman’s household duties. (So MOLLY.)
3. ‘A pear-shaped bottle covered round with straw, in which olive oil is sometimes brought from Italy; called by chemists a Florence flask.’ Webster. (? Only in U.S. The quot. seems to refer to some kind of vessel; cf. BELLARMINE.)
1725. L. Welsted, Oikogr., 12. No Bellarmine, my Lord, is here, Elisa none, at hand to reach, A Betty call’d in common speech!
4. Cant name formerly given to a short bar of iron used by burglars as a lever to force open doors: also called a Jenny, and now a Jemmy.
1700. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), IV. 687. One of the persons that broke open the exchequer was taken … he was discovered by the smith who made the betty and saw.
1707. E. Ward, Hud. Rediv., II. ix. 7. Ruffians, who, with Crows and Betties, Break Houses.
1712. Arbuthnot, John Bull, Pref. in Misc. (1733), II. 7–8 (J.). Describing the powerful Betty or the artful Picklock.
1721. Bailey, Bettee.
1755. Johnson, Betty.
