bill of exchange

noun

1. a written authorization or order to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person.

bill of exchange

noun

1. (now chiefly in foreign transactions) a document, usually negotiable, containing an instruction to a third party to pay a stated sum of money at a designated future date or on demand

Word History and Origins

Origin of bill of exchange¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Aramco “are asking us to amend our existing agreement to include a bill of exchange which will give you basically an opportunity to pay through a bank in 90 days time,” one source at an Asian refiner said.

From Reuters

Richard Smith, freshly arrived from England, comes bearing a formidable bill of exchange, requiring that the town bank hand over the fabulous amount of one thousand pounds sterling.

From Slate

A merchant from Lyon who wanted to buy - say - Florentine wool could go to this banker and borrow something called a bill of exchange.

From BBC

And if the Lyonnaise merchant or his agents travelled to Florence, the bill of exchange from the banker in Lyon would be recognised by bankers in Florence, who would gladly exchange it for local currency.

From BBC

Morgan Chase might make of Frederick Warren, who strolls into the Bank of England in 1873 and passes off a forged bill of exchange — one of many, as it turns out.

From New York Times