billet Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a short personal letter
    note; line; short letter.
    • drop me a line when you get there
  2. noun lodging for military personnel (especially in a private home)
  3. noun a job in an organization
    berth; office; spot; place; situation; position; post.
    • he occupied a post in the treasury
  4. verb provide housing for (military personnel)
    quarter; canton.

WordNet

Bil"let noun
Etymology
F. billet, dim. of an OF. bille bill. See Bill a writing.
Definitions
  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.
Bil"let transitive verb
Etymology
From Billet a ticket.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Billeted; present participle & verbal noun Billeting
Definitions
  1. (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.
Bil"let noun
Etymology
F. billette, bille, log; of unknown origin; a different word from bille ball. Cf. Billiards, Billot.
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913