Background for bills

bills

/bɪlz/

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noun

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.

Examples :

"During the historical reenactment, the foot soldiers wielded bills, their long staffs and hooked blades glinting in the sun, ready to defend the castle. "

weapon military history war item

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noun

A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted with a handle, used in pruning, etc.; a billhook.

Examples :

"The farmer used his bills to trim the overgrown branches in the orchard. "

utensil agriculture

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noun

Somebody armed with a bill; a billman.

Examples :

"The king's entourage included twenty bills, their long polearms gleaming in the sunlight, guarding him closely. "

weapon military history

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noun

A pickaxe, or mattock.

Examples :

"The road crew used bills to break up the asphalt before resurfacing the street. "

utensil work agriculture

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noun

The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point of or beyond the fluke (also called the peak).

Examples :

"The old anchor was so worn that the bills were completely rounded off, making it unlikely to grip the seabed. "

nautical sailing technical part

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verb

To dig, chop, etc., with a bill.

Examples :

"The gardener bills the soil to break it up before planting the seeds. "

action work utensil agriculture

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noun

The beak of a bird, especially when small or flattish; sometimes also used with reference to a platypus, turtle, or other animal.

Examples :

"The baby ducks followed their mother, using their small, yellow bills to peck at the ground. "

animal bird body part nature

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noun

A beak-like projection, especially a promontory.

Examples :

"From the ship, we could see the land stretching out, with two prominent bills of rock jutting into the sea. "

geography nature

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noun

Of a cap or hat: the brim or peak, serving as a shade to keep sun off the face and out of the eyes.

Examples :

"The baseball caps all had long bills to shield the players' eyes from the bright sun during the game. "

appearance wear part

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verb

Examples :

"The little chick billed at the cracked eggshell. "

animal bird action

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verb

To stroke bill against bill, with reference to doves; to caress in fondness

Examples :

"The doves on the windowsill bills affectionately, their soft cooing a gentle accompaniment to the morning. "

animal action bird

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noun

A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)

Examples :

"The sailor checked the bill of lading to make sure all the cargo was accounted for before unloading the ship. "

list business finance commerce

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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.)

Examples :

"The antiques dealer presented a meticulously preserved bill of sale from 1888 to prove the chair's provenance. "

business finance law commerce economy

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noun

A draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment; a proposed or projected law.

Examples :

"The legislature debated several bills aimed at improving education. "

government politics law

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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.

Examples :

"The group of citizens presented a bill to the mayor, outlining their complaints about the factory's pollution and its violation of environmental regulations. "

law government politics

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noun

A piece of paper money; a banknote.

Examples :

"I paid for the groceries with two twenty-dollar bills. "

finance business economy

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noun

A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge; an invoice.

Examples :

"The restaurant sent me a bill for the meal. "

business finance economy

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noun

A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale of goods

Examples :

"The walls of the school hallway were covered in bills advertising the upcoming school play. "

media communication business

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noun

A writing binding the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on demand, with or without interest, as may be stated in the document; a bill of exchange. In the United States, it is usually called a note, a note of hand, or a promissory note.

Examples :

"He signed the bills agreeing to pay back the loan with interest over the next five years. "

finance business economy

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noun

A set of items presented together.

Examples :

"The restaurant sent us the bills from our group dinner, stapled together. "

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verb

To advertise by a bill or public notice.

Examples :

"The theater bills its upcoming play with posters all over town. "

media communication business

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verb

To charge; to send a bill to.

Examples :

"The plumber will bill us for the cost of the new pipes and the labor. "

business finance

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noun

The bell, or boom, of the bittern.

Examples :

"While rarely heard today, the naturalist listened intently to the marsh, hoping to catch one of the deep, resonant bills of the bittern. "

sound animal bird nature