PAL

¹

[ pal ]

noun

1. a special air service offered by the U.S. Postal Service for sending parcels from 5 to 30 pounds (2.3 to 13.5 kilograms) to overseas members of the armed forces: only the regular parcel post rate to the U.S. port of shipment plus $1 is charged.

PAL

²

or P.A.L.

abbreviation for

1. Police Athletic League.

pal

³

[ pal ]

noun

1. a friend or close associate; chum; comrade.
2. an accomplice ( def ).

verb (used without object)

, palled, pal·ling.

1. to associate as comrades or chums:

   to pal around with the kid next door.

pal.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. paleography.
2. paleontology.

Pal.

⁵

abbreviation for

1. Palestine.

pal

¹

/ pæl /

noun

1. a close friend; comrade
2. an accomplice

verb

1. intr; usually foll by with or about to associate as friends

Pal.

²

abbreviation for

1. Palestine

PAL

³

/ pæl /

acronym for

1. phase alternation line: a colour-television broadcasting system used generally in Europe

Word History and Origins

Origin of PAL¹

P(arcel) A(ir) L(ift)

Origin of PAL²

First recorded in 1675–85; English Romani: “brother, mate,” variant of continental Romani phral, ultimately from Sanskrit bhrātṛ “brother”; brother

Word History and Origins

Origin of PAL¹

C17: from English Gypsy: brother, ultimately from Sanskrit bhrātar brother

Example Sentences

This story, told in the Netflix documentary about Ferrell’s cross-country road trip with his pal Harper Steele as she eases into her new life as a transitioned woman, has a happy ending, in part because of Steele, who joined the show as a writer the same time as Ferrell.

From Los Angeles Times

It was several weeks before I would see my “pal” again.

From Salon

“I didn’t say that, pal,” Vance replied, turning to walk away with his staff.

From Salon

He also smiled his way through the season, gleefully tossed sunflower seeds on teammates and became Ohtani’s pal.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s good to see that our pal Dot still has the power to disturb the complacent, all these many years later!” one X user said.

From Los Angeles Times