betall

English

Etymology

Probably from Dutch betalen (“to pay”), equivalent to be- +‎ tale. Compare also German bezahlen (“to pay”) and Swedish betala (“to pay”).

Verb

betall (third-person singular simple present betalls, present participle betalling, simple past and past participle betalled)

1. (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To pay; count out money.
   • 1980, Jill L. Levenson, A critical edition of the anonymous Elizabethan play "The Weakest goeth to the wall":

     And you will love me, kiss me, and be my secret sweetheart. Your husband will not know. I will give you money, and your husband will not have to betall, to pay for your lodgings or your food.

Anagrams

• ballet