▪ I. baize, n.
(beɪz)
Forms: 6–8 bayes, 7 baies, bease, bayz(e, 7–9 bays, 7– baize.
[a. F. baies (1570 in Godefroy, ‘les baies et sarges’), pl. fem. used subst. of adj. bai:—L. badius chestnut-coloured, bay; so named probably from its original colour. The same material is called in It. bajetta (Florio 1598), Sp. bayeta, Du. baai, Da. bai, Sw. boi. The plural form of the adopted word was soon misunderstood, and treated as a collective sing. (occas. with pl. bayses), whence the spelling bayze, baize, rare bef. 1800, but now quite established; the etymological sing. bay is, however, also found.]
1. a. A coarse woollen stuff, having a long nap, now used chiefly for linings, coverings, curtains, etc., in warmer countries for articles of clothing, e.g. shirts, petticoats, ponchos; it was formerly, when made of finer and lighter texture, used as a clothing material in Britain also.
| 1578 in Beck Drapers' Dict. 17 Blewe and blacke bayse. 1586 Harrison England i. ii. v. 132 The wares they carrie out of the realme are..baies, bustian, mockadoes, etc. 1635 N. R. Camden's Hist. Eliz. i. 101 Those light stuffes which they call Bayes and Sayes. 1667 Pepys Diary (1879) IV. 250 A cloak of Colchester bayze. 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull (1755) 9 The price of broad cloath, wool and bayses. 1732 Acc. Workhouses 51, 70 yards of red bays..for under petticoats. 1801 Felton Carriages I. 220 The Well of a Carriage is lined with linen or baize. 1882 Beck Drapers' Dict. 14 Bays, bayze, baize..was first introduced here in 1561. |
b. attrib.
| 1634 Brereton Trav. (1844) 52 He sat up in bed, and was in a thin bease waistcoat. 1834 C. Mathews Let. 20 Jan. in Mrs. Mathews Memoirs C.M. (1839) IV. xiii. 256 He sat down contentedly before the green baize table. 1837 Hawthorne Twice-told T. (1851) II. vi. 90 Fishermen, in red baize shirts. 1853 Dickens Bleak Ho. xli. 405 There is an inner baize door too. |
2. A curtain, table-cover, etc. of baize.
| 1862 Lond. Rev. 30 Aug. 193 The great baize will soon fall down. 1880 Browning Dram. Idylls, Clive 103 Cocky fancied that a clerk must feel Quite sufficient honor in bending over one green baize. |
3. attrib., as in baize-factor.
| 1766 Ann. Reg. 53/2 A baize factor has presented the Mayor of Colchester..a rich gold chain. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. xxvi. §1 Gentlemen of the green baize road, who could discourse from personal experience of foreign galleys and home treadmills. |
▪ II. baize, v.
[f. prec. n.]
To cover or line with baize. Hence baized ppl. a., baizing vbl. n.
| 1830 Miss Mitford Village Ser. iv. (1863) 250 Baizing the door of the library; and new painting the hall. 1882 J. Baker Hist. Scarboro' 160 Pews..being baized or cushioned. |