billet

1
[ bil-it ]
/ ˈbɪl ɪt /

noun

verb (used with object), bil·let·ed, bil·let·ing.

Military. to direct (a soldier) by ticket, note, or verbal order, where to lodge.
to provide lodging for; quarter: We arranged with the townspeople to billet the students.

verb (used without object), bil·let·ed, bil·let·ing.

to obtain lodging; stay: They billeted in youth hostels.

Origin of billet

1
1375–1425; late Middle English bylet, billett official register < Anglo-French billette, Old French bullette, equivalent to bulle bill1 + -ette -ette

OTHER WORDS FROM billet

bil·let·er, noun un·bil·let·ed, adjective

Definition for billet (2 of 2)

billet 2
[ bil-it ]
/ ˈbɪl ɪt /

noun

Origin of billet

2
1400–50; late Middle English bylet, bel(l)et < Anglo-French, Middle French billette, equivalent to bille log, tree trunk (< Gaulish *bilia tree trunk; compare Old Irish bile landmark tree) + -ette -ette

Example sentences from the Web for billet

British Dictionary definitions for billet (1 of 2)

billet 1
/ (ˈbɪlɪt) /

noun

verb -lets, -leting or -leted

Derived forms of billet

billetee, noun billeter, noun

Word Origin for billet

C15: from Old French billette, from bulle a document; see bull ³

British Dictionary definitions for billet (2 of 2)

billet 2
/ (ˈbɪlɪt) /

noun

a chunk of wood, esp for fuel
metallurgy
  1. a metal bar of square or circular cross section
  2. an ingot cast into the shape of a prism
architect a carved ornament in a moulding, with short cylinders or blocks evenly spaced

Word Origin for billet

C15: from Old French billette a little log, from bille log, probably of Celtic origin