Brewer's: Bill

(The ). The nose, also called the beak. Hence, “Billy” is slang for a pocket-handkerchief.

Lastly came Winter, clothed all in frize, Chattering his teeth for cold that did him chill; Whilst on his hoary beard his breath did freeze; And the dull drops that from his purple bill [nose], As from a limbeck, did adown distill.

Spenser: Faërie Queene,

canto vii.

Bill

(A). The draft of an Act of Parliament.

A public bill

is the draft of an Act of Parliament affecting the general public.

A private bill

is the draft of an Act of Parliament for the granting of something to a company, corporation, or certain individuals.

A true bill.

I confess what you say is true. The case against the accused is first submitted to the grand jury. If they think the charge has a fair colour, they write on the declaration “A true bill,” and the case is submitted to the petty jury. Otherwise, they write “No true bill,” or “Not found,” and the case is at once dismissed or “ignored.”

To ignore a bill

is to write on it ignoramus.

“`Ignoramus' is the word properly used by the Grand Enquest ... and written upon the bill.” —Cowell.

Bills payable. Bills of exchange, promissory notes, or other documents promising to pay a sum of money. Bills receivable. Promissory notes, bills of exchange, or other acceptances held by a person to whom the money stated is payable.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

Bill of Fare

Bilker