(from βία, violence, and θάνατος, death), in some medical writers, denotes those who die a violent death. The word is also written, and with more propriety, biathanati; sometimes bieothanti.

In a more particular sense, it denotes those who kill themselves, more properly called autobanati. In this sense it is that the word is used both by Greek and Latin writers. By the ancient discipline of the church, they were punished by denying them burial, and refusing all commemoration of them in the prayers and offices of the church.

BIOTANATOS is also used in some writers of the barbarous age for wicked, damnable, or accursed.

BIQUAC, BIVUAC, or BIQUAC, in the military art, a nightly guard performed by the whole army, when there is an apprehension of danger from the enemy. The word is formed by corruption from the German wehewacht, a double watch or guard.