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knuckleball

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noun knuck·le·ball \ ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯl \

Definition of knuckleball

:a slow baseball pitch that moves erratically and unpredictably and that is thrown with little spin by gripping the ball with the knuckles or the tips of the fingers pressed against the top
—

knuckleballer

play \ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯ-lər\ noun

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Recent Examples of knuckleball from the Web

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First Known Use of knuckleball

1907

KNUCKLEBALL Defined for English Language Learners

knuckleball

play
noun

Definition of knuckleball for English Language Learners

  • baseball : a pitch that is thrown with very little spin by holding the ball with the knuckles or fingertips

Learn More about knuckleball

  1. See words that rhyme with knuckleball Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about knuckleball

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