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bale

noun (1)
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\ ˈbāl How to pronounce bale (audio) \

Definition of bale

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : great evil
2 : woe, sorrow … bring us bale and bitter sorrowings …— Edmund Spenser

bale

noun (2)

Definition of bale (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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

bale

verb
baled; baling

Definition of bale (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to make up into a bale in the field baling hay

Other Words from bale

Verb

baler noun

First Known Use of bale

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1762, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bale

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English bealu; akin to Old High German balo evil, Old Church Slavonic bolĭ sick person

Noun (2) and Verb

Middle English, from Middle French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balla ball

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Time Traveler for bale

The first known use of bale was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for bale

bale

noun
\ ˈbāl How to pronounce bale (audio) \

Kids Definition of bale

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a large bundle of goods tightly tied for storing or shipping a bale of cotton

bale

verb
baled; baling

Kids Definition of bale (Entry 2 of 2)

: to press together and tightly tie or wrap into a large bundle

Other Words from bale

baler noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on bale

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bale

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bale

Spanish Central: Translation of bale

Nglish: Translation of bale for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bale for Arabic Speakers

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