bowl¹ (bōl)
n.

1. 1. A hemispherical vessel, wider than it is deep, used for holding food or fluids.
   2. The contents of such a vessel.
2. A drinking goblet.
3. A bowl-shaped part, as of a spoon or pipe.
4. 1. A bowl-shaped topographic depression.
   2. A bowl-shaped stadium or outdoor theater.
5. Football. Any of various postseason games played between specially selected teams, especially at the college level.

[Middle English bowle, from Old English bolla.]

bowl² (bōl)
n.

1. A large wooden ball weighted or slightly flattened so as to roll with a bias.
2. A roll or throw of this ball, as in bowling.
3. bowls (used with a sing. verb) See lawn bowling.
4. A revolving cylinder or drum in a machine.

v., bowled, bowl·ing, bowls.

v.intr.

1. 1. To participate in a game of bowling.
   2. To throw or roll a ball in bowling.
   3. To hurl a cricket ball from one end of the pitch toward the batsman at the other, keeping the arm straight throughout the delivery.
2. To move quickly and smoothly, especially by rolling: The children bowled along on their bicycles.

v.tr.

1. To throw or roll (a ball).
2. 1. To achieve (a specified score) by bowling.
   2. To perform (a specified amount, as a string or game) in bowling.
3. To move quickly and smoothly by or as if by rolling: bowled a tire from the garage.
4. To meet or strike with or as if with the force of a rapidly rolling object.

phrasal verbs:

bowl out

1. To retire (a batsman in cricket) with a bowled ball that knocks the bails off the wicket.

bowl over

1. To take by surprise.
2. To make a powerful impression on; overwhelm.

[Middle English boule, from Old French, from Latin bulla, round object.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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