bill

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases

   A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)

2. 2

   A document, originally sealed

   A document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)

3. 3

   A draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment

   A draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment; a proposed or projected law.

   • Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Prime Minister, I beg to introduce a bill entitled[…]
   • Why, I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men.
   • David Cameron insists that his latest communications data bill is “vital to counter terrorism”. Yet terror is mayhem. It is no threat to freedom. That threat is from counter-terror, from ministers capitulating to securocrats.
4. ›+ 28 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the…

      A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a fault committed by some person against a law.

      • ... the legion of bills in the suit have been transformed into mere bills of mortality ...
   2. 5

      A piece of paper money

      A piece of paper money; a banknote.

      • He gave the change for a three dollar bill. Upon examination, the bill proved to be counterfeit.
      • […]So I wropped 'em up in a five dollar bill and tied 'em up and sent 'em, and they ain't back yet.”
      • I ran into the Devil, babe, he loaned me 20 bills.
   3. 6

      One hundred pounds sterling.

   4. 7

      A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge…

      A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge owing; an invoice.

      • He received a bill of £9 for the groceries.
      • My lord, here is my bill.
   5. 8

      A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, listing the price or…

      A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, listing the price or charge paid; a receipt.

   6. 9

      A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a…

      A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale of goods

      • In the meantime I will draw a bill of properties, such as our play wants.
   7. 10

      A writing that binds the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on…

      A writing that binds the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on demand, with or without interest, as may be stated in the document; a bill of exchange. In the United States, it is usually called a note, a note of hand, or a promissory note.

      • Ay, and Rato-lorum too; and a gentleman born, Master Parson; who writes himself Armigero, in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, Armigero.
   8. 11

      A set of items presented together.

   9. 12

      A list of pupils to be disciplined for breaking school rules.

   10. 13

       To advertise by a bill or public notice.

       • [...] it will be recalled that in 1960 they were billed as the long-distance express multiple-units of the future, [...].
   11. 14

       To charge

       To charge; to send a bill to.

       • The physician explains that this is an option for her and that she can sign the facility's ABN so that if Medicare denies the claim, the facility can bill her for the scan.
   12. 15

       The beak of a bird, especially when small or flattish

       The beak of a bird, especially when small or flattish; sometimes also used with reference to a platypus, turtle, or other animal.

       • The woosel cock so black of hue, With orange-tawny bill, The throstle with his note so true, The wren with little quill[…]
   13. 16

       A beaklike projection, especially a promontory.

       • There is a lighthouse on Portland Bill.
   14. 17

       Of a cap or hat

       Of a cap or hat: the brim or peak, serving as a shade to keep sun off the face and out of the eyes.

   15. 18

       to peck

   16. 19

       to stroke bill against bill, with reference to doves

       to stroke bill against bill, with reference to doves; to caress in fondness

       • As the ox hath his bow, sir, the horse his curb and the falcon her bells, so man hath his desires; and as pigeons bill, so wedlock would be nibbling.
   17. 20

       Any of various bladed or pointed hand weapons, originally designating an Anglo-Saxon…

       Any of various bladed or pointed hand weapons, originally designating an Anglo-Saxon sword, and later a weapon of infantry, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, commonly consisting of a broad, heavy, double-edged, hook-shaped blade, with a short pike at the back and another at the top, attached to the end of a long staff.

       • At Floddon hyllys, / Our bowys, our byllys / Slew all the floure / Of theyr honoure.
       • In the British Museum there is an entry of a warrant, granted to Nicholas Spicer, authorising him to impress smiths for making two thousand Welch bills or glaives.
       • France had no infantry that dared to face the English bows and bills.
   18. 21

       A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted with a handle, used in pruning,…

       A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted with a handle, used in pruning, etc.; a billhook.

   19. 22

       Somebody armed with a bill

       Somebody armed with a bill; a billman.

   20. 23

       A pickaxe or mattock.

   21. 24

       The extremity of the arm of an anchor

       The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point of or beyond the fluke (also called the peak).

   22. 25

       To dig, chop, etc., with a bill.

   23. 26

       The bell, or boom, of the bittern.

       • The bittern's hollow bill was heard.
   24. 27

       To roll up a marijuana cigarette.

       • And we don't really need Netflix, I'mma give you something to watch / After we done, bill a spliff and cotch / Pour me a glass of the Henny on the rocks
   25. 28

       A diminutive of the male given name William.

   26. 29

       A diminutive of the male given name Bilal.

   27. 30

       A surname.

   28. 31

       A nickname for the British constabulary. Often called "The Bill" or "Old Bill"

The neighborhood

• neighborcheck