bat teler, battler

[From Eng. battel; -er.] In Oxford : 1. Originally: A student at the university, who paid for nothing except what he called for. He corresponded to what was called at Cambridge a sizar . 2. Later: A semi-commoner, the lowest grade of student, whose parents wholly paid his way in the university. "Though in the meanest condition of those that were wholly maintained [in the University of Oxford] by their parents, a battler , or semi-commoner, he was admitted to the conversation and friendship of the gentlemen-commoners. " -Life of Bishop Kennett , p. 4. 3. In a more general sense: Any student keeping terms or residing at the University of Oxford. became a battler or student at Oxford."Wood: Athena Ozon.