noun
1.
a large bundle or package prepared for shipping, storage, or sale, especially one tightly compressed and secured by wires, hoops, cords, or the like, and sometimes having a wrapping or covering: a bale of cotton; a bale of hay.
2.
a group of turtles.
verb (used with object)
3.
to make or form into bales: to bale wastepaper for disposal.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-Latin bala, Anglo-French bale pack, bale < Frankish *balla; compare Old High German balo, akin to balla ball1
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-Latin bala, Anglo-French bale pack, bale < Frankish *balla; compare Old High German balo, akin to balla ball1
Related forms
bale·less, adjective
bal·er, noun
00:10
Bale
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
| to flee; abscond: |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
bail2.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To bale
Collins
World English Dictionary
bail or bale2 (beɪl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| ( | |
| [C13: from Old French baille bucket, from Latin bāiulus carrier] | |
| bale or bale2 | |
| —vb | |
| [C13: from Old French baille bucket, from Latin bāiulus carrier] | |
| 'bailer or bale2 | |
| —n | |
| 'baler or bale2 | |
| —n | |
| bail or bale4 (beɪl) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the semicircular handle of a kettle, bucket, etc |
| 2. | a semicircular support for a canopy |
| 3. | a movable bar on a typewriter that holds the paper against the platen |
| [C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse beygja to bend] | |
| bale or bale4 | |
| —n | |
| [C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse beygja to bend] | |
| bale1 (beɪl) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a large bundle, esp of a raw or partially processed material, bound by ropes, wires, etc, for storage or transportation: bale of hay |
| 2. | a large package or carton of goods |
| 3. | (US) 500 pounds of cotton |
| 4. | a group of turtles |
| 5. | (Austral), (NZ) See wool bale |
| —vb | |
| 6. | to make (hay, etc) into a bale or bales |
| 7. | to put (goods) into packages or cartons |
| 8. | (Austral), (NZ) to pack and compress (wool) into wool bales |
| [C14: probably from Old French bale, from Old High German balla | |
| bale2 (beɪl) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | evil; injury |
| 2. | woe; suffering; pain |
| [Old English bealu; related to Old Norse böl evil, Gothic balwa, Old High German balo] | |
| bale3 (beɪl) | |
| —vb | |
| a variant spelling of bail | |
| bale4 (beɪl) | |
| —n | |
| a variant spelling of bail | |
| Bâle (bɑl) | |
| —n | |
| the French name for Basle | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
bale
"large bundle or package," early 14c., from O.Fr. bale "rolled-up bundle," from a Gmc. source (cf. O.H.G. balla "ball"), from P.Gmc. *ball-, from PIE *bhel- (2) "to blow, swell" (see bole).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Bale weights vary in other cotton-producing countries due to differing moisture content when cotton is compressed.
Straw bale structures cannot be designed for large storms and tend to fail during large runoff events.
Poe's life was tragic, but he was about as unworldly as a bale of cotton.
Serious straw bale: a home construction guide for all climates.
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