Current theme: Creative Learning Fortnight in association with Artis
ball1
- 1) noun, a spherical or nearly spherical body or mass
- 2) noun, a round or roundish body, either solid or hollow, of a size and composition suitable for any of various games: football, golf, billiards, etc
- 3) noun, a ball propelled in a particular way in a sport
- 4) noun, any of various rudimentary games with a ball
- 5) noun, cricket a single delivery of the ball by the bowler to the batsman
- 6) noun, baseball a single delivery of the ball by a pitcher outside certain limits and not swung at by the batter
- 7) noun, a) a solid nonexplosive projectile for a firearm. Compare shell b) such projectiles collectively
- 8) noun, any more or less rounded part or protuberance
- 9) noun, slang a testicle. See balls
- 10) noun, vet science. another word for bolus
- 11) noun, horticulture the hard mass of roots and earth removed with the rest of the plant during transplanting
- 12) noun, ball of muscle a very strong, fit, or forceful person
- 13) noun, have the ball at one's feet to have the chance of doing something
- 14) noun, keep the ball rolling to maintain the progress of a project, plan, etc
- 15) noun, on the ball alert; informed
- 16) noun, play ball to cooperate
- 17) noun, set or start the ball rolling to open or initiate (an action, discussion, movement, etc)
- 18) noun, the ball is in your court you are obliged to make the next move
- 19) verb, to make, form, wind, etc, into a ball or balls
- 20) verb, to gather into a ball or balls
- 21) verb, taboo slang to copulate (with)
Etymology
C13: from Old Norse böllr; related to Old High German balla, Italian palla French balle
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
ball2
- 1) noun, a social function for dancing, esp one that is lavish or formal
- 2) noun, a very enjoyable time (esp in the phrase have a ball)
Etymology
C17: from French bal (n), from Old French baller (vb), from Late Latin ballāre to dance, from Greek ballizein
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
Tweetymologies
How people on twitter are using the word ball
No video for this word, yet.
We're a video dictionary, but we're new and there are many words in the English language.
We're uploading new video definitions of words daily but we need your help. Does this word have a special meaning to you? If so we'd love to see you define it through video.
Popular videos
Related words
Synonyms
sphere, drop, globe, pellet, orb, globule, spheroid, projectile, shot, missile, bullet, ammunition, slug, pellet, grapeshot