Billet \Bil"let\, n. [F. billette, bille, log; of unknown origin; a different word from bille ball. Cf. {Billiards}, {Billot}.] 1. A small stick of wood, as for firewood.
They shall beat out my brains with billets. --Shak.
2. (Metal.) A short bar of metal, as of gold or iron.
3. (Arch.) An ornament in Norman work, resembling a billet of wood either square or round.
4. (Saddlery) (a) A strap which enters a buckle. (b) A loop which receives the end of a buckled strap. --Knight.
5. (Her.) A bearing in the form of an oblong rectangle. ※ ||
Billet \Bil"let\, n. [F. billet, dim. of an OF. bille bill. See {Bill} a writing.] 1. A small paper; a note; a short letter. ``I got your melancholy billet.'' --Sterne.
2. A ticket from a public officer directing soldiers at what house to lodge; as, a billet of residence.
3. Quarters or place to which one is assigned, as by a billet or ticket; berth; position. Also used fig. [Colloq.]
The men who cling to easy billets ashore. --Harper's Mag.
His shafts of satire fly straight to their billet, and there they rankle. --Pall Mall Mag. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Billet \Bil"let\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Billeted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Billeting}.] [From {Billet} a ticket.] (Mil.) To direct, by a ticket or note, where to lodge. Hence: To quarter, or place in lodgings, as soldiers in private houses.
Billeted in so antiquated a mansion. --W. Irving.
Billard \Bil"lard\, n. (Zo["o]l.) An English fish, allied to the cod; the coalfish. [Written also {billet} and {billit}.]
Production at the mill has exceeded the ability of Keystone's casting operation to supply it, he said, which will force Keystone to purchase billet, or unfinished steel bars, from outside the company during the fourth quarter and next year.
"When I was elected in 1982, I learned I could no longer hold a mobilization billet even though I'm a member of a combat-ready patrol squadron," Carper said.