[bowl] n [ME bolle, fr. OE bolla; akin to OHG bolla blister] (bef. 12c) 1: a concave usu. hemispherical vessel often used for holding liquids; esp: a drinking vessel (as for wine)
2: the contents of a bowl
3: a bowl-shaped or concave part: as a: the hollow of a spoon or tobacco pipe b: the receptacle of a toilet
4. a: a natural formation or geographical region shaped like a bowl b: a bowl-shaped structure; esp: an athletic stadium
5: a postseason football game between specially invited teams -- bowled adj -- bowl.ful n
[2]bowl n [ME boule, fr. MF, fr. L bulla bubble] (15c) 1 a: a ball (as of lignum vitae) weighted or shaped to give it a bias when rolled in lawn bowling b pl but sing in constr: lawn bowling
2: a delivery of the ball in bowling
3: a cylindrical roller or drum (as for a mechanical device) [3]bowl vi (15c) 1 a: to participate in a game of bowling b: to roll a ball in bowling
2: to travel smoothly and rapidly (as in a wheeled vehicle) ~ vt 1 a: to roll (a ball) in bowling b (1): to complete by bowling "~ a string" (2): to score by bowling "~s 150"
2: to strike with a swiftly moving object
3: to overwhelm with surprise