besague

Meaning

Noun

• A kind of double-bladed axe.
• A kind of martel or war-hammer, with its head(s) shaped like a pick, mattock, or beak.
• A plate (as of armor) that protects an otherwise-exposed area, such as the armpit (Alternative of besagew), the elbow, or the hand

Origin

• From Middle English besague, besagu, besagew, from Old French besague, whence also English besagew ("rondel, armor protecting the armpit"), related to Latin bisacuta (Italian bisacuto ("double-edged")) and besogium. Applied, in the Middle Ages, to a variety of medieval weapons or tools with two blades, edges, or faces, especially a double-bladed axe or war-hammer, but also to iron-headed cornuted staffs, clubs, or maces, spades, hoes, mattocks, and even knives.