noun

1. any round, or spherical, object; sphere; globe
2. a planet or star, esp. the earth
3. 1. a round or egg-shaped object used in various games
   2. any of several such games, esp. baseball
4. a throw or pitch of a ball
5. 1. a solid missile or projectile for a cannon or firearm
   2. such projectiles for firearms, collectively
6. a rounded part of the body the ball of the foot
7. Slang
   1. Vulgar a testicle: usually used in pl.
   2. daring or courage
8. ☆ Baseball a pitch that is wide of the plate or goes above the armpit (or shoulder in slow-pitch softball) or below the knee of the batter, who does not swing at it: four balls allow the batter to go to first base
9. Hort. the roots of a plant, bound and packed for shipping

Etymology: ME bal < OE *beallu < IE base *bhel-, to swell > bowl, bladder, ON bǫllr, OHG balla, Gr phallos, L follis & flare

intransitive verb, transitive verb

1. to form into a ball
2. Slang, Vulgar to have sexual intercourse (with)

noun

1. a formal social dance
2. Slang an enjoyable time, event, or experience

Etymology: Fr bal < OFr baller, to dance < LL ballare < Gr ballein, to throw (with sense of ballizein, to dance, jump about) < IE base *gwel-, to drip, spring forth, throw > Ger quelle, a spring