Bill, subst., 1) any written paper, note, billet: with --s on their necks 'Be it known etc.,' As I, 2, 131 (erroneously taken by some commentators in the sense of halbert). “error i' the bill,” Shr. IV, 3, 146. 152 (what v. 130 had been 'note'). “give these --s unto the legions on the other side,” Caes. V, 2, 1.
2) an order drawn on a person, directing him to pay money to another person: “in any b., warrant, quittance, or obligation,” Wiv. I, 1, 10. “I have --s for money by exchange from Florence,” Shr. IV, 2, 89.
3) a reckoning (cf. tavern-bill): “why then preferred you not your sums and --s,” Tim. III, 4, 49. Tim. III, 4, 49
4) a list, specification: “I'll draw a b. of properties,” Mids. I, 2, 108. “receive particular addition, from the b. that writes them all alike,” Mcb. III, 1, 100.
5) a public advertisement, placard: “he set up his --s here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight,” Ado I, 1, 39.* “by proscription and --s of outlawry,” Caes. IV, 3, 173.
6) a draft of a law, presented to the parliament, but not yet enacted: “I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men,” Wiv. II, 1, 29. “that self b. is urged,” H5 I, 1, 1. cf. H5 I, 1, 1 H5 I, 1, 1
Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
This text was converted to electronic form by professional data entry and has been proofread to a high level of accuracy.
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