epith. of the class of handicraftsmen or artisans, τὸ β., = τὸ περὶ τὰς τέχνας ὧν ἄνευ πόλιν ἀδύνατον οἰκεῖσθαι Arist. Pol. 1291a1, etc.; ὁ β. δῆμος, opp. ὁ γεωργικός, ὁ ἀγοραῖος, ib. 1289b33: as Subst., artisan, ib. 1277b35; ἡ βελτίστη πόλις οὐ ποιήσει β. πολίτην ib. 1278a8; τὸ β., = οἱ βάναυσοι, ib. 1329a20.
τέχνη β. a mechanical art, handicraft, S. Aj. 1121, Pl. Tht. 176c (pl.); β. ἔργον Arist. Pol. 1337b8; βαναυσόταται τῶν ἐργασιῶν ib. 1258b37; β. βίον ζῆν a mere mechanicʼs life, ib. 1278a21, 1328b39; β. πόνοι Plu. Num. 14: hence,
vulgar, in bad taste, Arist. EN 1123a19, Pl. Ep. 334b; of persons, Axiop. 1.4. Adv. -σως, προσβλέπειν unworthily, meanly, Phld. D. 1.11.
later, fastidious, AP 11.326 (Autom.), 12.237 (Strat.).