Billet
Billet turns up in 2 fields: shop slang, metallurgy. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Billet in shop slang
A specific job assignment, position, or role within an organization.
Originally a military term for a soldier's assigned quarters or duty, it has crossed over into civilian workplaces to mean a specific job slot or role. It implies a formal position that carries distinct responsibilities and authority, regardless of the person's overall rank or seniority. When someone holds a billet, they own the tasks and decisions associated with that exact desk or station.
"I know he has seniority, but safety inspector is my billet and I say this rigging isn't rated for the load."
Billet in metallurgy
A solid block or length of metal ready for further processing.
A semi-finished length of metal, typically cast or rolled into a square or circular cross-section. Billets are smaller than blooms and are used as the starting stock for forging, extrusion, or rolling into bars, rods, and wire. In continuous casting operations, liquid metal is formed directly into billets.
"Load that aluminum billet into the induction heater before we put it through the extrusion press."