Boll

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /bÉ’l/
• Rhymes: -É’l
• US IPA: boÊŠl
• Rhymes: -oÊŠl
• Homophones: bole, bowl

Origin

• from Middle Dutch, bolle ("round object")

Full definition of boll

Noun

1. The rounded seed-bearing capsule of a cotton or flax plant.
• 1853, Solomon Northup, Sometimes the slave picks down one side of a row, and back upon the other, but more usually, there is one on either side, gathering all that has blossomed leaving the unopened bolls for a succeeding picking.
2. An old Scots dry measure, equal to six bushels.

Derived terms

• boll weevil
• throat-boll

Verb

1. To form a boll or seed vessel; to go to seed.
• Bible, Exodus ix. 31The barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.----