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billa

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word billa

billa1 billhook

Confidence
Probable
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1209, Winchester pipe roll
Borrowed from
Old English bill
Ultimate origin
Proto-Germanic *bili-

Forms

billa f (genitive billae); first declension; also billus m (genitive billī)[1]

Etymology

The billhook is borrowed from Old English bill (“sword, chopping tool”),[1][2] from Proto-Germanic *bili-, a word for cutting and chopping weapons.[2] Etymonline connects it, with some doubt, with Proto-Indo-European *bheie- (“to cut, to strike”).[2] Köbler calls the origin of the millstone tool unclear.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1209 a Winchester pipe roll records iron bought to make spindles and bills for a new mill, in the sense of the steel tool used to dress millstones.[1]

Semantic evolution

The British sources use it for a billhook, a cutting tool or weapon:[1] the Leges Henrici Primi make taking up a bill a sign of passing into servitude, a record of 1328 values a bill for cutting thorns at twopence, and a record of 1588 speaks of force and arms, namely staves, bills and knives.[1] The sense “tool for dressing millstones” runs through the mill accounts,[1][3] and the Lexicon Bohemorum records the same tool in Czech sources.[4]

Timeline

  • 1209 – A Winchester pipe roll uses it for tools to dress millstones.[1]
  • 1328 – A bill for cutting thorns is valued at twopence.[1]
  • 1438 – Latham records it for a pick for dressing millstones.[3]
  • 1588 – A record names bills among the weapons of an assault.[1]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A billhook, a cutting tool or weapon with a hooked blade.[1]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A steel tool for dressing millstones.[1][3][4]

billa2 written bill, schedule

Confidence
Probable
First attested
c. 1290, Fleta
Ultimate origin
Latin bulla

Forms

billa f (genitive billae); first declension[3][5]

Etymology

The written bill is a medieval alteration of bulla (“seal; sealed document”).[3][2] Etymonline traces English bill through Anglo-Norman bille and the Anglo-Latin word to that noun.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler finds it first in Fleta, about 1290.[3]

Semantic evolution

Niermeyer glosses it as a notice, memorandum, schedule or record.[5] Du Cange explains it as a schedule, petition or written bond, the English bill and the French billet, and quotes a chronicle in which bills and petitions are handed to the king.[6] In the Neo-Latin of England it was used for a decree, a summons or a notice, as in the acts of Parliament of 1514, and Francis Bacon writes of billae impetītiōnis.[7] Köbler also gives the senses card and note.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 1290 – Fleta uses it.[3]
  • late 14th century – English bill “formal document” is formed through Anglo-French from it.[2]
  • 1514 – The acts of Parliament use it for a bill delivered by the chancellor's mandate.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A written bill; a note, memorandum, schedule or record.[5][3][6]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A petition.[6]
  3. (New Latin) A decree, a summons, a notice; a bill in Parliament.[7]

Usage notes

Du Cange records two more words spelled billa: a beast of burden or ass, from the glossary of Isidore, and a ball, French bille, in a letter of remission of 1353.[6] Niermeyer's billus “log, trunk” belongs with French bille “stick of wood”.[5][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences
  5. ^ a b c d Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ a b c d du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  7. ^ a b c Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de

Related etymologies

  • acra · also from Old English
  • firma · also from Old English
Cite this entry

“Billa.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/billa. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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