Search results for 'bill':

the Bill and the Old Bill singular or plural noun, Brit slang the police force, or a member or members of the police force.
ETYMOLOGY: 1960s; the nickname probably arose because many policemen between the World Wars wore large walrus moustaches like that of 'Old Bill', a popular cartoon character of the time created by the British cartoonist B Bairnsfather (1888-1959).

bill¹ noun 1 a a printed or written statement of the amount of money owed for goods or services received; an invoice; b such a statement for food and drink received in a restaurant or hotel. US equivalent check; c the amount of money owed. 2 a written plan or draft for a proposed law. 3 N Amer, especially US a banknote. Brit equivalent note. 4 an advertising poster. 5 a list of items, events or performers, etc; a programme of entertainment. verb (billed, billing) 1 to send or give a bill to someone, requesting payment for goods, etc; to charge • Did they bill you for the wine? 2 to advertise or announce (a person or event) in a poster, etc • was billed as Britain's best new comedy act. fit or fill the bill colloq to be suitable, or what is required.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from Latin bulla a seal or a document bearing a seal.

bill² noun 1 the beak of a bird. 2 any structure which resembles this in appearance or function. 3 a long thin piece of land that extends into the sea, eg Portland Bill. verb (billed, billing) (especially bill and coo) colloq 1 said of lovers: to kiss and whisper together affectionately. 2 said of birds such as doves: to touch and rub bills together. billed usually in compounds having a specified kind of bill • hard-billed • duck-billed. billing noun.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon bile.

bill³ noun 1 historical a long-handled weapon with a concave or hook-shaped blade, or one with a hook-like spike. 2 a billhook.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon bil, originally meaning 'sword' or 'broadsword'.