Obs. Forms: 4 borgeysye, 6–7 burgesie, -eosie, -eoise, -eoisie, 7 bourgessy, 8 burghesie. [a. OF. borgeisie (mod.F. bourgeoisie), f. borgeis BOURGEOIS, BURGESS.] = prec.
1340. Ayenb., 161. Mannes lyf ine þe erþe is ase borgeysye.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1589), 544. Policie … somtime signifieth a Burgesie … the participation and enjoying of the rights and privileges of a towne.
1636. E. Dacres, trans. Machiavel’s Disc. Livy, II. xxiii. 381. They … honourd them [the Privernates] with all the priviledges of their Bourgessie.
1700. Southerne, Fate Capua, I. i. The citizens of Rome and Capua Enjoying common rights of burghesie.
