ink ball

noun

, Printing.

1. one of a pair of heavy pads of horsehair and cotton covered with sheepskin or buckskin and equipped with a handle, used before the invention of the ink roller for dabbing ink on type for printing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ink ball¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Git a ink ball from de oak trees, and on Sadday and Sunday slip off whar de white folks wouldn't know 'bout it.

From Project Gutenberg