i Register
In some senses, billet is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.
noun
A short informal letter.
However, when his cool reflections returned, he plainly perceived that his case was neither mended nor altered by Sophia's billet[…]
On their return home, however, she was greatly consoled by Lady Mandeville's reading aloud a billet from Edward Lorraine, regretting that unexpected business,...
A written order to quarter soldiers.
A sealed ticket for a draw or lottery.
A murmur of applause and gratitude arose from the crowd, which was soon interrupted by the preparations for distributing the tickets. Four pages, clothed in white and crimson, brought in two massive salvers, whose delicate carving was from the unrivalled graver of Benvenuto Cellini. These were filled with small sealed billets, from which the company were to draw, and afterwards open, in succession. The pages first approached and knelt before the Queens, who each took one of the billets, and then proceeded to distribute the remainder among the rest.
noun
A place where a soldier is assigned to lodge.
Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.
17 June 1940: Prime Minister Pétain requests armistice. Germans use the Foucaults’ holiday home as officers’ billet. Foucault steals firewood for school from collaborationist militia. Foucault does well at school, but messes up his summer exams in 1940.
Temporary lodgings in a private residence, such as is organised for members of a visiting sports team.
An allocated space or berth in a boat or ship.
The skipper Mr. Cooke had hired at Far Harbor was a God-fearing man with a luke warm interest in his new billet and employer, and had only been prevailed upon to take charge of the yacht after the offer of an emolument equal to half a year's sea pay of an ensign in the navy.
Berth; position.
His shafts of satire fly straight to their billet, and there they rankle.
verb
To lodge soldiers, or guests, usually by order.
Billeted in so antiquated a mansion.
Destroy, with entire unpity, raze to the ground, those detestable houses where you billet the progeny of the libertinage of the poor, appalling cloacas, wherefrom there every day spews forth into society a swarm of new-made creatures […]
To lodge, or be quartered, in a private house.
To direct, by a ticket or note, where to lodge.