/bɔ:l; bɔl/
n
1 (a) solid or hollow sphere used in games （各种游戏所用的实心或空心的）球
*a `football 足球
* a `tennis-ball 网球
* a `cricket-ball 板球. =>illus at basketball, hockey 见basketball, hockey之插图.
(b) any similar sphere 任何球状物
*Signs with three balls hang outside pawnbrokers' shops. 当　外面悬挂着三个球的标记.
2 (a) (in cricket) single delivery of the ball by the bowler （板球）投球手投出的一个球.
(b) (in baseball) any strike or throw （棒球）一击或一投
*a foul ball 界外球.
(c) (in football, hockey, etc) movement of the ball by a player （足球、曲棍球等的）传球
*send over a high ball 高吊传球.
3 round mass of material that has been pressed together, rolled or wound into shape 挤压、旋滚或缠绕成团的球状物
*a `meat ball 肉丸子
* a `snowball 雪球
* a ball of `wool/`string 绒线[线]团.
4 rounded part 圆形部分
*the ball of the thumb, ie the part near the palm 大拇指下面近掌心的球形部分. =>illus at hand 见hand之插图.
* the ball of the foot, ie the part near the base of the big toe 脚掌下面近拇趾根的球形部分.
5 (usu pl 通常作复数) (infml 口) testicle 睾丸.
6 (idm 习语) the ball is in one's/sb's `court one/sb must make the next move (in a negotiation, etc) （谈判等）下一个轮到自己[某人]. a ball of `fire (infml 口) person full of energy and enthusiasm 精力充沛热情洋溢的人. have the ball at one's `feet have a good chance of succeeding 有成功的好机会. keep/start the `ball rolling continue/start a conversation or an activity 继续[开始]谈话或活动. (be) on the `ball (infml 口) be alert and aware of new ideas, trends, etc 对新的思想、动向等敏感而熟悉
*The new publicity manager is really on the ball. 新的宣传部主任确实很内行. play `ball (infml 口) co-operate 合作
*They're refusing to play ball (with us). 他们拒绝（与我们）合作.

v [Tn] form (sth) into a ball by winding, squeezing, etc 以缠绕、挤压等方法使（某物）成为一团
*ball one's fist 攥拳.

/bɔ:l; bɔl/
n
1 formal social gathering for dancing （正式举办的）舞会.
2 (idm 习语) have (oneself) a `ball (infml 口 esp US) have a very good time 过得非常愉快.

The following are the baseball events of the years 1845 to 1868 throughout the world.