no ball

noun

, Cricket.

1. an unfairly bowled ball.

no-ball

noun

1. cricket an illegal ball, as for overstepping the crease, throwing, etc, for which the batting side scores a run, and from which the batsman can be out only by being run out
2. rounders an illegal ball, esp one bowled too high or too low

sentence substitute

1. cricket rounders a call by the umpire indicating a no-ball

verb

1. tr cricket of an umpire
   1. to declare (a bowler) to have bowled a no-ball
   2. to declare (a delivery) to be a no-ball

Word History and Origins

Origin of no ball¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

I suppose I must have explained a stymie or a no-ball very cleverly once.

From Project Gutenberg

“Sixty up,” said Ellerby, in the pavilion, as the umpire signalled another no-ball.

From Project Gutenberg

The batsman may be “run out” in attempting a run off a “no-ball,” but cannot be put out off it in any other way.

From Project Gutenberg

Why not make it a no-ball every time unless the bowler has both feet in the air at the moment when the ball leaves his hand?

From Project Gutenberg

If we are to be in the swim we shall have to reconsider our no-ball rule.

From Project Gutenberg