Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “billable” come from?

Billable derives from Middle English -able combined with Anglo-Norman bille, which comes from Latin bulla meaning a sealed document or official edict.

billable (English): Capable of being billed for; Something that is...

Definitions

  1. Capable of being billed for; Something that is...

Ancestry of “billable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishBill—
2Middle Englishbill—
3Old Englishbila kind of sword or other bladed weapon,...
4Frankishbilli—
5Proto-Germanicbiljąa cutting implement; blade; axe; sword; spike;...
6Proto-Germanicharjazarmy; army leader; commander; warrior
7Proto-Indo-Europeankóryoswar; troops; army; war, troops
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱer-to grow, to make grow, to nourish; to plait,...
9Proto-Indo-Europeankr̥-to turn, to bend
10Proto-Indo-Europeanker-army

Words derived from “billable”

  • nonbillable
  • unbillable
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ker- →