n. & v.
n. 1 a a printed or written statement of charges for goods supplied or services rendered. b the amount owed (ran up a bill of $300). 2 a draft of a proposed law. 3 a a poster; a placard. b = HANDBILL. 4 a a printed list, esp. a theatre programme. b the entertainment itself (top of the bill). 5 US a banknote (ten dollar bill).
v.tr. 1 put in the programme; announce. 2 (foll. by as) advertise. 3 send a note of charges to (billed him for the books). bill of exchange Econ. a written order to pay a sum of money on a given date to the drawer or to a named payee. bill of fare 1 a menu. 2 a programme (for a theatrical event). bill of health 1 Naut. a certificate regarding infectious disease on a ship or in a port at the time of sailing. 2 (clean bill of health) a such a certificate stating that there is no disease. b a declaration that a person or thing examined has been found to be free of illness or in good condition. bill of indictment hist. or US a written accusation as presented to a grand jury. bill of lading Naut. 1 a shipmaster's detailed list of the ship's cargo. 2 US = WAYBILL. Bill of Rights 1 Law the English constitutional settlement of 1689. 2 Law (in the US) the constitutional amendments of 1791. 3 a statement of the rights of a class of people. bill of sale Econ. a certificate of transfer of personal property, esp. as a security against debt. billable adj.
[ ME f. AF bille, AL billa, prob. alt. of med.L bulla seal, sealed documents, BULL(2) ]