noun
billy
BIH-lee
noun
1
An adult male goat.
"The billy butted against the fence trying to reach the grass."
2
A police officer's club or baton.
"The officer carried a billy on his belt."
3
A metal pot with a lid and handle used for boiling water or tea outdoors, chiefly in Australian and New Zealand English.
"They boiled the billy over the campfire for tea."
How to Use Billy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a male goat, a police club, or (Australian/NZ) a camping kettle.
UK vs US
The "camping pot" sense is distinctly Australian/New Zealand.
Common pairings
billy goat
billy club
boil the billy
Word Forms
billies plural, billies plural, Billys plural
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The _____ butted against the fence trying to reach the grass.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, possibly related to bully in the old sense of "companion, mate."