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billet

Billet Bil"let, 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.]

Billet Bil"let, 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]

Billet Bil"let, 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] ||