billet
/ˈbɪlɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbɪlɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbi-lət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbɪl.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbɪl.ət/ (ame, ipa)
billet — noun
- billetsingular
- billetsplural
1. a place where soldiers live or sleep for a short period, often in a private home
a place where soldiers live or sleep for a short period, often in a private home or public building rather than in a camp or barracks
The new soldiers were given billets in the homes of local families near the training ground.
were given billets in
When the regiment arrived, the village provided clean billets in the school gymnasium.
The sergeant inspected every billet to make sure the troops had proper heating and beds.
During the long march, the soldiers were grateful for a warm billet after hours in the rain.
- lodging
more general term for any temporary place to stay
- quarters
often implies official or staff housing, not necessarily temporary
- accommodation
broadest term; not limited to military contexts
用法筆記
Frequently used in plural form (billets) when referring to the lodgings of a group. Usually implies accommodation arranged officially rather than chosen freely.
常見錯誤
2. a particular job or official role that someone has within a company, government
a particular job or official role that someone has within a company, government department, or other organization
Mandla was offered a billet as the head of the research division after years of hard work.
offered a billet as
Many young diplomats hope for a billet in the embassy in a major European capital.
Aiko's new billet came with a larger office and a team of twenty researchers.
The ambassador's billet in Tokyo was considered one of the best postings in the service.
- position
more commonly used in both formal and informal contexts
- appointment
often implies a formal selection process
- post
common in diplomatic and military contexts, similar register
用法筆記
Strongly formal in register; more common in British English than American. Often used in diplomatic, military, and academic contexts rather than general business.
常見錯誤
3. a short written message, such as a letter or note, that is personal and often in
a short written message, such as a letter or note, that is personal and often informal in nature
Emma found a faded billet from her grandfather tucked inside an old poetry book.
During the war, families kept every billet that arrived from the soldiers at the front lines.
billet that arrived
Raj passed a hurried billet to his assistant across the table during the meeting.
The box in the attic contained love billets exchanged by Liam's parents in the 1940s.
用法筆記
Now considered dated or literary; rarely used in modern everyday conversation. Distinguish from sense 1 (SOLDIERS' LODGING), which is the more common contemporary meaning.
常見錯誤
billet — verb
- billetpresent simple I / you / we / they
- billets3rd person singular
- billeting-ing form
- billetedpast simple
1. to arrange for someone, especially a soldier, to stay somewhere temporarily, typ
to arrange for someone, especially a soldier, to stay somewhere temporarily, typically by securing lodging in a private home, school, or other building
The army billeted the new soldiers in the town's community centre for the first month.
billeted the new soldiers in
During the emergency, the school gym was used to billet families who had lost their homes.
The local hotel agreed to billet the officers while the barracks were under repair.
The villagers were asked to billet three soldiers each during the military training exercise.
- accommodate
more general term, less tied to military contexts
- house
common in both formal and informal settings
- quarter
similar register and military association
文法句型
billet + someone + in/at + place
用法筆記
Very often used in the passive voice: 'be billeted in/at [place]'. Subject of the active form is typically an official body (army, government, council) rather than an individual person.