† ˈbillard Obs. or dial.
[Derivation unknown: it is not easy to connect it in sense with F. billard stick with a knob or hook.]
1. The Coal-fish, a fish allied to the Cod; cf. billet n.3
| 1661 Ray Itin. (1760) 173 There are the same sorts of Fish taken at Whitby as at Scarborough; and some others they named to us, as Dabs, Billards. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Billard, in ichthyology, an English name for the young fish of the coal-fish..up to a certain size. 1865 Couch Brit. Fishes III. 84. |
2. (See quot.) [probably distinct from 1.]
| 1669 Worlidge Syst. Agric. (1681) 322 Billard is in some places used for an imperfect or Bastard Capon. 1674 Ray S. & E.C. Wds. 59 Billard, a Bastard Capon. Suss. |