† beˈsonio, beˈsognio Obs.
[var. of bisognio, a. It. bisogno ‘need, want; also, a fresh needy souldier. Bisogni, new leuied souldiers such as come needy to the war’ (Florio). ‘Applied in derision to young soldiers who landed in Italy from Spain ill accoutred and in want of everything’ (Vocab. della Crusca.) Hence also Sp. bisoño, Pg. bisonho, F. bisogne. (The conjecture that bisogno was an It. corruption of F. ˈbecjaune, bejan, is baseless.) Cf. besogne.]
a. A raw soldier. b. (term of contempt) A needy beggar; a base worthless fellow. See bezonian.
| [1591 Garrard Art of Warre 170 A raw souldier and Bisognio.] 1603 R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. 55 A base Besonio, fitter for the spade then the sword. 1611 Fletcher Four Pl. 28 Draw my sword of Fate on a Pesant, a Besognio! 1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 78 The souldiers..who after the common custome of their profession (except when they be besonios), sought to pleasure him. 1820 Scott Monast. xvi, Base and pilfering besognios and marauders. |