ball

I

[[t]bɔl[/t]]

n.

1) a spherical or approximately spherical body; sphere

2) a round or roundish body, of various sizes and materials, either hollow or solid, for use in games, as baseball, football, or golf

3) gam a game played with a ball, esp. baseball or softball

4) spo a pitched ball in baseball that is not swung at by the batter and does not pass through the strike zone

5) mil

a) a solid, spherical projectile for a weapon

b) projectiles collectively

6) a part, esp. of the human body, that is rounded or protuberant:

the ball of the thumb[/ex]

7) sts Vulgar Slang. a testicle

8) cvb sts balls, Slang: Usu. Vulgar.

a) boldness; courage

b) nonsense (often used as an interjection)

9) a planetary or celestial body, esp. the earth

10) to make into a ball or balls

11) cvb sts Vulgar Slang. to have sexual intercourse with

12) coo cvb to form or gather into a ball

13) cvb sts Vulgar Slang. to have sexual intercourse

14) phv+sts ball up, to make into a mess; confuse

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- carry the ball get or start (or keep) the ball rolling on the ball play ball

Etymology: 1175-1225; < OF < Gmc *ballaz; cf. OHG bal, ON bǫllr ball′er, n. II

ball

[[t]bɔl[/t]] n.

1) a large, usu. lavish, formal party featuring social dancing, sometimes given to introduce debutantes or benefit a charitable organization

2) inf Informal. a thoroughly good time

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Etymology: 1625–35; < F bal, n. der. of bal(l)er to dance < LL ballāre < Gk ballízein