BILBO, a rapier, or small sword, was formerly so called: from Bilboa in Spain, where excellent swords are made.
BILL or Bill-Hook, a small hatchet used for cutting wood for fascines, gabions, bavins, &c.
BILLET, in England is a ticket for quartering soldiers, which intitles each soldier, by act of parliament, to candles, vinegar, and salt, with the use of fire, and the necessary utensils for dressing and eating their meat. The allowance of small beer has been added by a late regulation.
BILLET de logement, Fr. a billet for quarters. This billet or ticket was formerly delivered out to the French troops upon the same general principles that it is issued in England.
Billeting, in the army, implies the quartering soldiers in the houses of any town or village.
BINACLE, a telescope with 2 tubes, so constructed, that a distant object might be seen with both eyes, now rarely used.
BIVOUAC, Biouac, Biouvac, or Biovac, Fr. [from the German weywacht, a double watch or guard.] A night-guard, or a detachment of the whole army, which during a siege, or in the presence of an enemy, marches out every night in squadrons or battalions to line the circumvallations, or to take post in front of the camp, for the purpose of securing their quarters, preventing surprises, and of obstructing supplies. When an army does not encamp, but lies under arms all night, it is said to bivoac. Thus before the battle of Austerlitz, Bonaparte was all night in bivoac, or with the advanced guard.
BIT, the bridle of a horse, which acts by the assistance of a curb. See Curb and [Bridon].
BLACK-HOLE, a place of confinement for soldiers, in the English discipline, who may be confined therein by the commanding officer, but not by any inferior officer. In this place they are generally restricted to bread and water.
BLANKETS, are made of coarse paper steeped in a solution of saltpetre, and when dry are again dipt in a composition of tallow, resin, and sulphur. They are used only in fire-ships.