[bill] n [ME bile, fr. OE; akin to OE bill] (bef. 12c) 1: the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering
2: a mouthpart (as the beak of a turtle) that resembles a bird's bill
3: the point of an anchor fluke--see anchor illustration
4: the visor of a cap or hood
[2]bill vi (1592) 1: to touch and rub bill to bill
2: to caress affectionately "~ing and cooing" [3]bill n [ME bil, fr. OE bill sword; akin to OHG bill pickax] (14c) 1: a weapon in use up to the 18th century that consists of a long staff ending in a hook-shaped blade
2: billhook [4]bill n [ME, fr. ML billa seal, alter. of bulla, fr. L, bubble, boss] (14c) 1: an itemized list or a statement of particulars (as a list of materials or of members of a ship's crew)
2: a written document or note 3 obs: a formal petition
4. a: an itemized account of the separate cost of goods sold, services performed, or work done: invoice b: an amount expended or owed c: a statement of charges for food or drink: check
5. a: a written or printed advertisement posted or otherwise distributed to announce an event of interest to the public; esp: an announcement of a theatrical entertainment b: a programmed presentation (as a motion picture, play, or concert)
6: a draft of a law presented to a legislature for enactment; also: the law itself "the GI ~" 7: a declaration in writing stating a wrong a complainant has suffered from a defendant or stating a breach of law by some person "a ~ of complaint"
8. a: a piece of paper money b: an individual or commercial note "~s receivable" c slang: one hundred dollars -- fill the bill or fit the bill : to be exactly what is needed: be suitable [5]bill vt (14c) 1 a: to enter in an accounting system: prepare a bill of (charges) b: to submit a bill of charges to c: to enter (as freight) in a waybill d: to issue a bill of lading to or for
2: to announce (as a performance) esp. by posters or placards
3: advertise, promote "the book is ~ed as a "report" --P. G. Altbach" -- bill.able adj