Obs. or dial. [app. a variant form of BILL. But cf. MHG. bîl, bîhel, mod.Ger. beil ax.] A pick-ax with both ends sharp, used to pick out the ore from the rocks.

1

1671.  Phil. Trans., VI. 2104. The Instruments commonly used in Mines … are; (1.) A Beele or Cornish Tubber of 8l. or 10l. weight, sharped at both ends.

2

1753.  Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Beele, an instrument used by the workmen to break and pick out the ore from the rocks in which it lies. [Not in modern Cornish Gloss. of E. D. Soc.; but W. Corn. Gl. has ‘Beal a bird’s bill.’]

3

  Hence Beele-man.

4

1671.  Phil. Trans., VI. 2104. The Beele-men rip the Deads and Ore.

5

1753.  Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v. Beele, The miners, who dig up the ore in the mines, are, from the use of this instrument called beele-men … In Cornwall … they allow two shovellers to three beele-men.

6