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
To hold or support while moving; bear: carried the baby in my arms; carrying a heavy backpack. See Synonyms at convey.
To take from one place to another; transport: a train carrying freight; a courier carrying messages.
Chiefly Southern U.S. To escort or accompany.
To communicate; pass on: The news was carried by word of mouth to every settlement.
To express or contain: harsh words that carried a threat of violence.
To support (a weight or responsibility).
To support the weight or responsibility of: a beam that carries the floor; a student who carries a heavy course load.
To hold and move (the body or a part of it) in a particular way: carried her head proudly.
To behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified manner.
To give impetus to; propel: The wind carried the ball over the fence.
To take further; advance: carry a cause.
To be successful in; win: lost the game but carried the match.
To gain victory, support, or acceptance for: The motion was carried in a close vote.
To win a majority of the votes in: Roosevelt carried all but two states in the 1936 presidential election.
To gain the sympathy of; win over: The amateurs' enthusiasm carried the audience.
To have as an attribute or accompaniment: an appliance carrying a full-year guarantee.
To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect: The crime carried a five-year sentence.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To serve as a means for the conveyance of; transmit: pipes that carry waste water; a bridge that carries traffic between the two cities.
To communicate; pass on: The news was carried by word of mouth to every settlement.
To express or contain: harsh words that carried a threat of violence.
To support (a weight or responsibility).
To support the weight or responsibility of: a beam that carries the floor; a student who carries a heavy course load.
To hold and move (the body or a part of it) in a particular way: carried her head proudly.
To behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified manner.
To give impetus to; propel: The wind carried the ball over the fence.
To take further; advance: carry a cause.
To be successful in; win: lost the game but carried the match.
To gain victory, support, or acceptance for: The motion was carried in a close vote.
To win a majority of the votes in: Roosevelt carried all but two states in the 1936 presidential election.
To gain the sympathy of; win over: The amateurs' enthusiasm carried the audience.
To have as an attribute or accompaniment: an appliance carrying a full-year guarantee.
To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect: The crime carried a five-year sentence.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To have (something) on the surface or skin; bear: carries scars from acne.
To hold or be capable of holding: The tank carries 16 gallons when full.
To support (a weight or responsibility).
To support the weight or responsibility of: a beam that carries the floor; a student who carries a heavy course load.
To hold and move (the body or a part of it) in a particular way: carried her head proudly.
To behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified manner.
To give impetus to; propel: The wind carried the ball over the fence.
To take further; advance: carry a cause.
To be successful in; win: lost the game but carried the match.
To gain victory, support, or acceptance for: The motion was carried in a close vote.
To win a majority of the votes in: Roosevelt carried all but two states in the 1936 presidential election.
To gain the sympathy of; win over: The amateurs' enthusiasm carried the audience.
To have as an attribute or accompaniment: an appliance carrying a full-year guarantee.
To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect: The crime carried a five-year sentence.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To keep or have on one's person: stopped carrying credit cards.
To be pregnant with.
To hold and move (the body or a part of it) in a particular way: carried her head proudly.
To behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified manner.
To give impetus to; propel: The wind carried the ball over the fence.
To take further; advance: carry a cause.
To be successful in; win: lost the game but carried the match.
To gain victory, support, or acceptance for: The motion was carried in a close vote.
To win a majority of the votes in: Roosevelt carried all but two states in the 1936 presidential election.
To gain the sympathy of; win over: The amateurs' enthusiasm carried the audience.
To have as an attribute or accompaniment: an appliance carrying a full-year guarantee.
To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect: The crime carried a five-year sentence.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To extend or continue in space, time, or degree: carried the line to the edge of the page; carry a joke too far.
To give impetus to; propel: The wind carried the ball over the fence.
To take further; advance: carry a cause.
To be successful in; win: lost the game but carried the match.
To gain victory, support, or acceptance for: The motion was carried in a close vote.
To win a majority of the votes in: Roosevelt carried all but two states in the 1936 presidential election.
To gain the sympathy of; win over: The amateurs' enthusiasm carried the audience.
To have as an attribute or accompaniment: an appliance carrying a full-year guarantee.
To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect: The crime carried a five-year sentence.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To take or seize, especially by force; capture.
To be successful in; win: lost the game but carried the match.
To gain victory, support, or acceptance for: The motion was carried in a close vote.
To win a majority of the votes in: Roosevelt carried all but two states in the 1936 presidential election.
To gain the sympathy of; win over: The amateurs' enthusiasm carried the audience.
To have as an attribute or accompaniment: an appliance carrying a full-year guarantee.
To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect: The crime carried a five-year sentence.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To include or keep on a list: carried a dozen workers on the payroll.
To have as an attribute or accompaniment: an appliance carrying a full-year guarantee.
To involve as a condition, consequence, or effect: The crime carried a five-year sentence.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To transfer from one place, as a column, page, or book, to another: carry a number in addition.
To keep in stock; offer for sale: a store that carries a full line of electronic equipment.
To keep in one's accounts as a debtor: carried the unemployed customer for 90 days.
To maintain or support (one that is weaker or less competent, for example).
To compensate for (a weaker member or partner) by one's performance.
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
To place before the public; print or broadcast: The morning papers carried the story. The press conference was carried by all networks.
To produce as a crop.
To provide forage for (livestock): land that carries sheep.
To sing (a melody, for example) on key: carry a tune.
Nautical To be equipped with (a mast or sail).
Sports
To cover (a distance) or advance beyond (a point or object) in one golf stroke.
To control and advance (a ball or puck).
Basketball To palm (the ball) in violation of the rules.
v.
intr.
To act as a bearer: teach a dog to fetch and carry.
To be transmitted or conveyed: a voice that carries well.
To admit of being transported: Unbalanced loads do not carry easily.
To hold the neck and head in a certain way. Used of a horse.
To be accepted or approved: The proposal carried by a wide margin.
n.
pl.car·ries
The act or process of carrying.
A portage, as between two navigable bodies of water.
The range of a gun or projectile.
The distance traveled by a hurled or struck ball.
Reach; projection: "a voice that had far more carry to it than at any time in the term thus far"(Jimmy Breslin).
To transfer (an account) to the next column, page, or book relating to the same account.
To retain (merchandise or other goods) for a subsequent, usually the next, season.
Football An act of running with the ball from scrimmage: a carry of two yards.
To cause the death of: was carried off by a fever.
To handle successfully: carried off the difficult situation with aplomb.
To conduct; maintain: carry on a thriving business.
To engage in: carry on a love affair.
To continue without halting; persevere: carry on in the face of disaster.
To behave in an excited, improper, or silly manner.
To put into practice or effect: carry out a new policy.
To follow or obey: carry out instructions.
To bring to a conclusion; accomplish: carried out the mission successfully.
Accounting
To transfer (an account) to the next column, page, or book relating to the same account.
To retain (merchandise or other goods) for a subsequent, usually the next, season.
To deduct (an unused tax credit or a loss, for example) for taxable income of a subsequent period.
To persist to another time or situation: The confidence gained in remedial classes carried over into the children's regular school work.
To accomplish; complete: carry a project through despite difficulties.
To survive; persist: prejudices that have carried through over the centuries.
To enable to endure; sustain: a faith that carried them through the ordeal.
Phrasal Verb(s): carry awayTo move or excite greatly: was carried away by desire. carry forwardAccounting To transfer (an entry) to the next column, page, or book, or to another account. carry off
To cause the death of: was carried off by a fever.
To handle successfully: carried off the difficult situation with aplomb.
carry on
To conduct; maintain: carry on a thriving business.
To engage in: carry on a love affair.
To continue without halting; persevere: carry on in the face of disaster.
To behave in an excited, improper, or silly manner.
carry out
To put into practice or effect: carry out a new policy.
To follow or obey: carry out instructions.
To bring to a conclusion; accomplish: carried out the mission successfully.
carry over
Accounting
To transfer (an account) to the next column, page, or book relating to the same account.
To retain (merchandise or other goods) for a subsequent, usually the next, season.
To deduct (an unused tax credit or a loss, for example) for taxable income of a subsequent period.
To persist to another time or situation: The confidence gained in remedial classes carried over into the children's regular school work.
carry through
To accomplish; complete: carry a project through despite difficulties.
To survive; persist: prejudices that have carried through over the centuries.
To enable to endure; sustain: a faith that carried them through the ordeal.
Idiom(s):
carry a/the torchTo feel a painful unreciprocated love: still carrying a torch for an old sweetheart.
Idiom(s):
carry the ball Informal To assume the leading role; do most of the work.
Idiom(s):
carry the dayTo be victorious; win.
[Middle English carien, from Old North French carier, from carre, cart; see car.]
n. a wild time at a party; a good time. : We really had a ball. See ya!
n. a testicle. (Usually plural. Usually objectionable. See also balls.) : The teacher preferred “testicles” to “balls,” if they had to be mentioned at all.
in. to enjoy oneself. (Ambiguous with the next sense.) : The whole crowd was balling and having a fine time.
in. to depart; to leave. : It's late. Let's ball.
tv. & in. to copulate [with] someone. (Usually objectionable.) : Isn't there anything more to you than balling?
in. to play a ball game. (Probably a deliberate pun on sense 5.) : Bob's out balling with the guys.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
ball (2)
"dancing party," 1632, from O.Fr. baller "to dance," from L.L. ballare "to dance," from Gk. ballizein "to dance, jump about," also "to throw," from PIE base *gwel- "to drip, spring forth, throw" (cf. Skt. balbaliti "whirls, twirls," Gk. ballizo "dance," O.E. plega "play"). Hence, "very enjoyable time" (1945, Amer.Eng. slang). Ballroom dancing first attested 1894.
Take charge, advance a cause, as in In our lab any of the assistants can carry the ball. This usage comes from such sports as football, where the ball-carrying player gives the team yardage or a touchdown. By the early 1900s it was being transferred to other endeavors.
[bawl] 
