n.
Pronunciation: ' bu ̇ l-y ə n, - ˌ yän
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French billion, bullion melting house, bullion, probably blend of Middle French bille ingot, piece of money (fr. Old French, log) and Anglo-French *bulliun, buillun cauldron, from Old French boillon froth on boiling liquid, broth ― more at BILLET , BOUILLON
Date: 14th century
1 a : gold or silver considered as so much metal specifically : uncoined gold or silver in bars or ingots b : metal in the mass <lead bullion >
2 : lace, braid, or fringe of gold or silver threads