I. ˈbōl noun
Etymology: Middle English bolle, from Old English bolla; akin to Old High German bolla blister
Date: before 12th century
1. : a concave usually nearly hemispherical vessel ; specifically : 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 ; especially : an athletic stadium
5. : a postseason football game between specially invited teams
• bowled ˈbōld adjective
• bowl·ful -ˌfu̇l noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English boule, from Middle French, from Latin bulla bubble
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : a ball (as of lignum vitae) weighted or shaped to give it a bias when rolled in lawn bowling
b. plural but singular in construction : lawn bowling
2. : a delivery of the ball in bowling
3. : a cylindrical roller or drum (as for a machine)
III. verb
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
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)
transitive verb
1.
a. : to roll (a ball) in bowling
b.
(1) : to complete by bowling
bowl a string
(2) : to score by bowling
bowl s 150
2. : to strike with a swiftly moving object