bale

¹

[ beyl ]

noun

1. a large bundle or package prepared for shipping, storage, or sale, especially 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.

verb (used with object)

, baled, bal·ing.

1. to make or form into bales:

   to bale wastepaper for disposal.

bale

²

[ beyl ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. evil; harm; misfortune.
2. woe; misery; sorrow.

bale

³

[ beyl ]

noun

1. bail ².

bale

⁴

[ beyl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, baled, bal·ing.

1. a spelling variant of bail ³( defs 1, 2, 4 ).

Bâle

⁵

[ bahl ]

noun

1. French name of Basel.

bale

¹

/ beɪl /

verb

1. a variant spelling of bail 2

bale

²

/ beɪl /

noun

1. evil; injury
2. woe; suffering; pain

Bâle

³

/ bɑl /

noun

1. the French name for Basle

bale

⁴

/ beɪl /

noun

1. a variant spelling of bail 4

bale

⁵

/ beɪl /

noun

1. a large bundle, esp of a raw or partially processed material, bound by ropes, wires, etc, for storage or transportation

   bale of hay

2. a large package or carton of goods
3. 500 pounds of cotton
4. a group of turtles
5. See wool bale

verb

1. to make (hay, etc) into a bale or bales
2. to put (goods) into packages or cartons
3. to pack and compress (wool) into wool bales

Other Words From

• baleless adjective
• baler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bale¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-Latin bala, Anglo-French bale “pack, bale,” from unattested Frankish balla; compare Old High German balo, akin to balla; ball ¹

Origin of bale²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English bealu, balu; cognate with Old Norse bǫl, Old Saxon balu, Old High German balo, Gothic balw-; akin to Russian bolʾ “pain”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bale¹

Old English bealu ; related to Old Norse böl evil, Gothic balwa , Old High German balo

Origin of bale²

C14: probably from Old French bale , from Old High German balla ball ¹

Example Sentences

He said he started drawing during the coronavirus lockdown to keep himself busy, and his artwork has attracted attention on social media from celebrities, like former Welsh football captain and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

From BBC

And by the way, I just want to say that little Chrissy Bale, he sucks.”

From Los Angeles Times

Since Gareth Bale's retirement, the number 11 shirt has been worn by newbies or youngsters with little other option.

From BBC

Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, said being a mayor "with a big budget, power, influence and agency is very different to being a backbencher".

From BBC

“They’re fighting like rats in the sack,” said Timothy Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bundle