bille

n. [ F. billet, dim. of an OF. bille bill. See Bill a writing. ] 1. A small paper; a note; a short letter. “I got your melancholy billet.” Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A ticket from a public officer directing soldiers at what house to lodge; as, a billet of residence. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Quarters or place to which one is assigned, as by a billet or ticket; berth; position. Also used fig. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The men who cling to easy billets ashore. Harper's Mag. [ 1913 Webster ]

His shafts of satire fly straight to their billet, and there they rankle. Pall Mall Mag. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Billeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Billeting. ] [ From Billet a ticket. ] (Mil.) To direct, by a ticket or note, where to lodge. Hence: To quarter, or place in lodgings, as soldiers in private houses. [ 1913 Webster ]

Billeted in so antiquated a mansion. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. billette, bille, log; of unknown origin; a different word from bille ball. Cf. Billiards, Billot. ] 1. A small stick of wood, as for firewood. [ 1913 Webster ]

They shall beat out my brains with billets. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Metal.) A short bar of metal, as of gold or iron. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Arch.) An ornament in Norman work, resembling a billet of wood either square or round. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Saddlery) (a) A strap which enters a buckle. (b) A loop which receives the end of a buckled strap. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Her.) A bearing in the form of an oblong rectangle. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Billets-doux [ F. billet note + doux sweet, L. dulcis. ] A love letter or note. [ 1913 Webster ]

A lover chanting out a billet-doux. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]