Any of various bladed or pointed hand weapons, originally designating an Anglo-Saxon sword, and later a weapon of infantry, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, commonly consisting of a broad, heavy, double-edged, hook-shaped blade, with a short pike at the back and another at the top, attached to the end of a long staff.
Of a cap or hat: the brim or peak, serving as a shade to keep sun off the face and out of the eyes.
A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
A document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)
From Middle English bill, bille, bil, from Old English bil, bill, from Proto-Germanic *bilją ("axe; sword; blade"), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyH-. Cognate with West Frisian bile, Dutch bijl, German Bille.
From Middle English bill, bil, bille, bile, from Old English bile, of unknown origin. Perhaps from a special use of Old English bil, bill (see above).
From Middle English bille, from Anglo-Norman bille, from Old French bulle, from Medieval Latin bulla ("seal", "sealed document"). Compare bull.
Modern English dictionary
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