First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1bale
noun \ˈbāl\
Definition of BALE
1
: great evil
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Origin of BALE
Middle English, from Old English bealu; akin to Old High German balo evil, Old Church Slavic bolĭ sick person
Rhymes with BALE
2bale
noun
Definition of BALE
: a large bundle of goods; specifically : a large closely pressed package of merchandise bound and usually wrapped <a bale of paper> <a bale of hay>
Origin of BALE
Middle English, from Middle French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balla ball
First Known Use: 14th century
3bale
verb
baledbal·ing
Definition of BALE
transitive verb
: to make up into a bale
— bal·er noun
First Known Use of BALE
1760
Bâle
geographical name
BALE Defined for Kids
1bale
noun \ˈbāl\
Definition of BALE for Kids
: a large bundle of goods tightly tied for storing or shipping <a bale of cotton>
2bale
verb
baledbal·ing
Definition of BALE for Kids
: to press together and tightly tie or wrap into a large bundle
— bal·er noun
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