1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a bundle of merchandise or hay etc. tightly wrapped and bound with cords or hoops.
2 the quantity in a bale as a measure, esp. US 500 lb. of cotton.
--v.tr. make up into bales.
Phrases and idioms:
bale (or bail) out
1. (of an airman) make an emergency parachute descent from an aircraft (cf. BAIL(3)).
2 BAIL(1) v. 2.
Etymology: ME prob. f. MDu., ult. identical with BALL(1) 2. n. archaic or poet. evil, destruction, woe, pain, misery.
Etymology: OE b(e)alu 3. var. of BAIL(3).