-: B :-

Glossary: Home Tables A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T Þ U V W X Y Z

bis *

bis for *dwis, cf bellicose for *dwellium [war of two sides]. by þis ultimately related to two (zB duel).
      so binary, bit = binary digi, billion, bi = 2x
      bes = 2/3 roman pound
      Bin (= dustbin, etc), is from benne (two-wheeled card), is probably unrelated.

bismar *

A unit derived from a torque balance. Þe equality happens when þe moments are equal, so one pound . foot = one bismar-mound . inch.
      It gets favour from þe relative lightness of þe balance to þe load, but made illegal because of þe relative easiness to diddle þe scales.
      Þese units were used in þe Norse lands.

block *

An american unit of land, being a furlong in lengþ or area. Þis becomes 660 feet in Imperial measure.

body mass index *

A scale for determining relative overweightness in humans being, as
      weight in kilograms / square of þe height in metres.
      Measures in þis way is now depreciated in favour of linear measures (waist, hips) and ratios formed þerefrom.

body units *

Þe body is often used as a portable ruler. Þe units in þis table are direct measurements from a number of (small) willing victims.

digit	1	widþ of finger
deal	3	widþ of þree middle fingers, as a unit
horn	10?	distance between outstretched index and little finger
lick	12	distance between outstretched index finger and þumb
span	15	distance between þumb and little finger lengþ of þe hand from þe middle finger tip to second bracelet.
foot	18	lengþ of þe foot
cubit	36	lengþ of þe cubit, from elbow to fingertip.
knee	45	height þe knee is above þe ground (knee deep)
yard	72	lengþ of half-faþom
groin	75	þe height of þe groin area
navel	90	height þe navel is off þe ground = 2 kneedepþs
chin	120	depþ, to þe middle of þe chin
height	135	þe height = 3 knee-depþs
faþom	144	widþ of outstretched arms

body weight *

For determining how many people are allowed in a lift, þe weight of a person is taken to be 68 kgs., or 150 lbs.
      New born babies ought lie in þe range of 3.5 to 3.8 kgs., or 124-134 oz.

brace *

brace, = two hands = faþom
      brace = pair of hands -> pair (eg of mules in harness)
      brace = faþom measure
      italian brazze, brent = yard-like measure (one outstretched arm).

"British" system

A system of lengths and weights which reflect many of þe metrological equations taken at þe turn of the 19þ century.

lengþ	Unchanged	mile \ 8 furlong \ 660 foot \ 12 inch
weight	Changed	ton \ 2250 lb \ 16 oz \ 16 dr \ 27 grain
water	Custom	ton = 36 cu ft, cu in = 250 gt. cu ft = 1000 oz

Þe relation, particularly cu ft = 1000 oz, features in þe us decimal system.

Broadcast Units *

An association of area to volume, by way of þe manner þat seeds are broadcasted in þe fields.
      Berriman says þat Wheat is typically 2.5 bushels to þe acre, while Barley is 2 to 3.5 bushels to þe acre. Þe following table gives some actual units defined on broadcast relations, normalised for þe system.

litre/are	Volume (L)	Area (a)	Unit	Country
0.89869	36.368722	40.468564	bu/ac	English Measure
1.00000	1.00000	1.00000	L/a	Metric Measure
1.85309	68.8608	27.16	pour	Latvia
2.03910	283.68	139.12	Tondele	Denmark
2.52183	137.76	54.627	Tonne	?
3.11016	39.514	12.7048	Scheffel	Lubeck
3.25198	93.592	28.78	Strych	Bohemia
3.75212	103.8286	27.6715	Scheffel	Saxony
3.9205	164.845	42.047	Scheffel	Hamburg

bushel

A basket of about 8 gallons. Þe unit is about þe size of a typical cloþes basket, for example. Filled with fruit, etc, represents a load that might be regularly handled in ones or twos.
      Þe unit is 8 gallons for dry measure: þat is pourable solids, like grains, fruit, coal, etc.
      Þe division is bushel \ 4 pecks \ 2 gallon \ 4 quarts

Name	bushel	gallon	notes
Henry Prototype	2148.28	268.97	as measured 1931-32
Elizabeth P'type	2144.8	268.43	as measured 1931-32
Dry Gallon	2150.42	268.8025	Cyl, diam 18.5 in, height 8 in, still US
Irish Corn Gallon	2178	272.25	2178 = 66*33
Imperial	2219.36	277.42	Since 1824.

A coal gallon of 33 quarts is also known.
      As wiþ all dry capacity, it becomes a variable weight representing a standard bushel of someþing, eg 60 lb wheat.

butt *

butt means a large cask.
      bottle = casklet, -> to bottle = to put in bottles
      boot = leaþer bag, -> boot = foot covering -> to boot (to use a boot), -> boot(strap) = strap to pull boot on, whence to lift by one's bootstraps, and hence to bring a computer on line
      butt, boot etc are germanic
      booþ is from be, build, bower