a slatternly woman. North. Perhaps a corruption of TALL-BESS.
·noun <<Tow>>. II. Taw ·noun A large marble to be played with; also, a game at marbles. III. Taw ·...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
A small instrument used by house-breakers to force open doors. Bring bess and glym; bring the instru...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
A schoolboy's game, played with small round balls made of stone dust, catted marbles. I'll be one up...
a whip. N. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
A soldier's firelock. To hug brown Bess; to carry a firelock, or serve as a private soldier. ...
A nickname for the old government regulation bronzed musket, although till recently it was brightly ...
The Sailor's Word-Book