I. kəˈral, kȯˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin currale enclosure for vehicles, from Latin currus cart, from currere to run — more at current
1.
a. : a pen or enclosure for confining or capturing livestock
b. : an enclosure that resembles a corral
spectators were held in a roped-off corral until they could be seated
c. : a fish trap resembling a corral in shape
2. : an enclosure made with wagons as a place of defense for an encampment
II. verb
( corralled ; corralled ; corralling ; corrals )
transitive verb
1. : to enclose in a corral or similar pen or yard : round up (as cattle) and drive into a corral
2. : to arrange (wagons) so as to form a corral
3.
a. : to get hold of, get control over, catch, or gather up (something wandering or elusive) : get possession of
corral a new desk for his secretary
taxi drivers corralling customers for a hotel
the winning candidate is the man who can corral the most votes
b. : to bring together in one place
corral all the passengers in the lounge
: restrict to a particular place
reporters corralled the congressman in a corner of the lobby
: restrict the movement of
boys quickly corralled a small brush fire and put it out
intransitive verb
: to form a protective corral around an encampment
the train probably would corral by alternate wagons, the first wagon turning right, the second left … until the circle was formed — W.F.Harris
Synonyms: see enclose