bale 1
— baleless , adj. — baler , n.
/bayl/ , n. , v. , baled, baling .
n.
1. a large bundle or package prepared for shipping, storage, or sale, esp. one tightly compressed and secured by wires, hoops, cords, or the like, and sometimes having a wrapping or covering: a bale of cotton; a bale of hay.
2. a group of turtles.
v.t.
3. to make or form into bales: to bale wastepaper for disposal.
[ 1350-1400; ME bala, AF bale pack, bale balla; cf. OHG balo, akin to balla BALL 1 ]
bale 2
/bayl/ , n. Archaic.
1. evil; harm; misfortune.
2. woe; misery; sorrow.
[ bef. 1000; ME; OE bealu, balu; c. ON bol, OS balu, OHG balo, Goth balw-; akin to Russ bol' pain, OCS bolu ill ]
bale 3
/bayl/ , n.
bail 2 .
bale 4
/bayl/ , v.t., v.i., baled, baling .
bail 3 (defs. 1-3).