Horticulture. a compact mass of soil covering the roots of an uprooted tree or other plant.
12.
Literary. a planetary or celestial body, esp. the earth.
13.
Mathematics. (in a metric space) the set of points whose distance from the zero element is less than, or less than or equal to, a specified number.
–verb (used with object)
14.
to make into a ball (sometimes fol. by up): The children were balling up snow to make a snowman.
15.
to wind into balls: to ball cotton.
16.
Slang:Vulgar. to have sexual intercourse with.
–verb (used without object)
17.
to form or gather into a ball: When the spun sugar balls, the candy has cooked sufficiently.
18.
Slang:Vulgar. to have sexual intercourse.
—Verb phrase
19.
ball up, Slang. to make or become utterly confused; muddle: The records had been all balled up by inefficient file clerks.
—Idioms
20.
ball the jack, Slang.
a.
to act with speed.
b.
to stake everything on one attempt.
21.
carry the ball, to assume the responsibility; bear the burden: You can always count on him to carry the ball in an emergency.
22.
drop the ball, to make a mistake or miss an opportunity at a critical moment.
23.
keep the ball rolling, to continue or give renewed vigor to an activity already under way: When their interest lagged, he tried to keep the ball rolling.
24.
on the ball,
a.
alert and efficient or effective: If you don't get on the ball, you'll be fired.
b.
indicating intelligence or ability: The tests show your students don't have much on the ball. The new manager has a lot on the ball.
25.
play ball,
a.
to begin or continue playing a game.
b.
to start or continue any action.
c.
to work together; cooperate: union leaders suspected of playing ball with racketeers.
26.
run with the ball, to assume responsibility or work enthusiastically: If management approves the concept, we'll run with the ball.
27.
start the ball rolling, to put into operation; begin: The recreation director started the ball rolling by having all the participants introduce themselves.
Origin: 1175–1225; ME bal, balle < OF < Gmc *ballaz; cf. ON bǫllr, OHG bal, ballo, balla, G Ball, D bal; perh. akin to L follis leather bag; see ballock
a large, usually lavish, formal party featuring social dancing and sometimes given for a particular purpose, as to introduce debutantes or benefit a charitable organization.
2.
Informal. a thoroughly good time: Have a ball on your vacation!
Origin: 1625–35; < F bal, n. deriv. of baler (now baller) to dance < LL ballāre < Gk (Magna Graecia) ballízein to dance
A spherical or almost spherical body: a ball of flame.
Any of various rounded, movable objects used in various athletic activities and games.
Such an object moving, thrown, hit, or kicked in a particular manner: a low ball; a fair ball.
A game, especially baseball or basketball, played with such an object.
A pitched baseball that does not pass through the strike zone and is not swung at by the batter.
A solid spherical or pointed projectile, such as one shot from a cannon.
Projectiles of this kind considered as a group.
The testicles.
Courage, especially when reckless.
Great presumptuousness.
Sports
Any of various rounded, movable objects used in various athletic activities and games.
Such an object moving, thrown, hit, or kicked in a particular manner: a low ball; a fair ball.
A game, especially baseball or basketball, played with such an object.
A pitched baseball that does not pass through the strike zone and is not swung at by the batter.
A solid spherical or pointed projectile, such as one shot from a cannon.
Projectiles of this kind considered as a group.
The testicles.
Courage, especially when reckless.
Great presumptuousness.
A solid spherical or pointed projectile, such as one shot from a cannon.
Projectiles of this kind considered as a group.
The testicles.
Courage, especially when reckless.
Great presumptuousness.
A rounded part or protuberance, especially of the body: the ball of the foot.
ballsVulgar Slang
The testicles.
Courage, especially when reckless.
Great presumptuousness.
v.
balled, ball·ing, balls
v.
tr.
To form into a ball.
Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse with.
v.
intr.
To become formed into a ball.
Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse.
Phrasal Verb(s): ball upTo confuse; bungle.
Idiom(s):
on the ball Informal
Alert, competent, or efficient: a teacher who is really on the ball.
Relating to qualities, such as competence, skill, or knowledge, that are necessary for success: a manager who has a lot on the ball; a student who has nothing on the ball.
[Middle English bal, probably from Old English *beall; see bhel-2 in Indo-European roots.]
ball 2 (bôl) n.
A formal gathering for social dancing.
Informal An extremely enjoyable time or experience: We had a ball during our vacation.
[French bal, from Old French, from baller, to dance, from Late Latin ballāre, from Greek ballizein; see gwelə- in Indo-European roots.]
[bawl] 
