1. n.1 a a usu. round deep basin used for food or liquid. b the quantity (of soup etc.) a bowl holds. c the contents of a bowl.
2 a any deep-sided container shaped like a bowl (lavatory bowl). b the bowl-shaped part of a tobacco-pipe, spoon, balance, etc.
3 esp. US a bowl-shaped region or building, esp. an amphitheatre (Hollywood Bowl).
Derivatives:
bowlful n. (pl. -fuls).
Etymology: OE bolle, bolla, f. Gmc 2. n. & v.
--n.
1. a a wooden or hard rubber ball, slightly asymmetrical so that it runs on a curved course, used in the game of bowls. b a wooden ball or disc used in playing skittles. c a large ball with indents for gripping, used in tenpin bowling.
2 (in pl.; usu. treated as sing.) a a game played with bowls (sense 1a) on grass. b tenpin bowling. c skittles.
3 a spell or turn of bowling in cricket.
--v.
1. a tr. roll (a ball, a hoop, etc.) along the ground. b intr. play bowls or skittles.
2 tr. (also absol.) Cricket etc. a deliver (a ball, an over, etc.) (bowled six overs; bowled well). b (often foll. by out) dismiss (a batsman) by knocking down the wicket with a ball (soon bowled him out). c (often foll. by down) knock (a wicket) over.
3 intr. (often foll. by along) go along rapidly by revolving, esp. on wheels (the cart bowled along the road).
Phrases and idioms:
bowl out Cricket dismiss (a batsman or a side). bowl over
1. knock down.
2 colloq. a impress greatly. b overwhelm (bowled over by her energy).
Etymology: ME & F boule f. L bulla bubble