‖ batz
(bæts)
Also 7 batte, 8 bat.
[Ger. batz, batze; prob. taken as a plural, bats, whence as sing. bat. 17-18th c.]
A small coin worth four kreuzers in Switzerland and South Germany; originally having as device the bear of Berne, where it was first coined.
| 1625 tr. Gonsalvio's Sp. Inquis. 73 Halfe a riall..is as much as a dutch batte, and is worth..3 pence sterling. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Bat, in commerce, a small base silver coin, current in divers parts of Germany and Switzerland at different prices. 1753 Hanway Trav. (1762) I. vii. xciv. 434 The currency of such a coin as their bats and driers must be detrimental. 1756 Nugent Gr. Tour II. 283 In Franconia, you meet with batzes, eighteen of which make a dollar. |