billmann.
/ˈbɪlmən/ a. A soldier armed with a bill.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > armed man > [noun] > halberd
bill1495
bill-hagera1500
halberdier1517
billman1530
halberds1543
glaive1577
halberdman1595
partisan1649
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 198 Bylman in a batayle, halebardier.
1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. i. 15 Cocceius Proculus, a bilman of the Garde.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod ii. i. 62 Four thousand whifflers and billmen.
1861 W. H. Dixon Personal Hist. Ld. Bacon iv. §17 The Bowmen of Cressy, the billmen of Boulogne.
b. A watchman similarly armed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > municipal watchman
wait1418
watchmanc1440
rattle manc1596
rug gowna1625
ruga1627
billman1630
Charley1819
1630 T. Dekker Second Pt. Honest Whore iv. iii. 128 (stage direct.) Enter Constable and Bilmen.
c. A labourer using a bill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > [noun] > bill hook > one who uses
billman1552
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Byll man, falcarius.
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 119 A sort of lustie Bill-men, sett..to fell a Cops.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online June 2020).
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