Bezant

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Bezant \Be*zant"\, n. [See {Byzant}.]
     1. A gold coin of Byzantium or Constantinople, varying in
        weight and value, usually (those current in England)
        between a sovereign and a half sovereign. There were also
        white or silver bezants. [Written also {besant}, {byzant},
        etc.]


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Her.) A circle in or, i. e., gold, representing the gold
        coin called bezant. --Burke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A decoration of a flat surface, as of a band or belt,
        representing circular disks lapping one upon another.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  bezant
       n : a gold coin of the Byzantine Empire; widely circulated in
           Europe in the Middle Ages [syn: {bezzant}, {byzant}, {solidus}]