bill
/ˈbɪl/
Word Rarity
Common
Frequency: 5.15 in modern English
6
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
noun
A document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)
noun
A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a fault committed by some person against a law.
Obsolete
Example Sentences
- "Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Prime Minister, I beg to introduce a bill entitled[…]"
- "Why, I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men."
- "David Cameron insists that his latest communications data bill is “vital to counter terrorism”. Yet terror is mayhem. It is no threat to freedom. That threat is from counter-terror, from ministers capitulating to securocrats."
- "... the legion of bills in the suit have been transformed into mere bills of mortality ..."
- "He gave the change for a three dollar bill. Upon examination, the bill proved to be counterfeit."
- "[…]So I wropped 'em up in a five dollar bill and tied 'em up and sent 'em, and they ain't back yet.”"
Etymology
From Middle English bille, from Anglo-Norman bille, from Old French bulle, from Medieval Latin bulla (“seal, sealed document”). Doublet of bull (“papal bull; bubble”) and bulla.