word-vault

{ "term": "ball", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a1", "image": "data/images/sp/sports_team.png", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "a round object used for throwing, hitting or kicking in games and sports", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a golf/tennis/bowling/soccer ball" }, { "text": "to **hit/throw/kick/catch a ball**" }, { "text": "He kicked the ball into the net." }, { "text": "Bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net." }, { "text": "The kids were playing with a bat and ball in the park." }, { "text": "The ball bounced off down the road." }, { "text": "Oh no! He's dropped the ball." }, { "text": "She chased the ball all over the pitch." }, { "text": "The ball flew over the bar into the sea of Middlesbrough fans." }, { "text": "The ball hit me on the head." }, { "text": "The ball hit the wall and rolled along the road." }, { "text": "The catcher missed the ball." }, { "text": "The fielders try to retrieve the ball quickly and return it to the bowler." }, { "text": "The kids love to kick a ball against my wall." }, { "text": "He's an excellent ball handler." }, { "text": "His ball control was excellent." } ], "topics": ["Sports: ball and racket sports", "Games and toys"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["bowling", "cricket", "golf"], "verb + ball": ["play with", "head", "hit"], "ball + verb": ["go", "travel", "float"], "ball + noun": ["game", "control", "handling"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "a round object or a thing that has been formed into a round shape", "sensetop": "ball (of something)", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The sun was a huge ball of fire low on the horizon." }, { "text": "a ball of yarn/string" }, { "text": "The little girl curled into a ball in her mother's arms." }, { "text": "Some animals roll themselves into a ball for protection." }, { "text": "He screwed the letter up into a tight ball." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["tight", "fiery", "crystal"], "verb + ball": [ "curl (up) into", "roll (up) into", "form something into" ], "phrases": ["a ball and chain"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "a kick, hit or throw of the ball in some sports", "examples": [ { "text": "He sent over a high ball." }, { "text": "He pounced on a loose ball and scored." }, { "text": "That's a great ball from Kane." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["loose", "high", "low"], "verb + ball": ["play", "send", "pick up"], "preposition": ["ball from"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "a throw by the pitcher that is outside the strike zone (= the area between the batter's upper arms and knees)", "examples": [], "collocations": { "adjective": ["loose", "high", "low"], "verb + ball": ["play", "send", "pick up"], "preposition": ["ball from"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "the part below the big toe or the thumb", "sensetop": "ball of the foot/hand", "cefr": "c2", "examples": [], "topics": ["Body"] }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "a testicle", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": 7, "definition": "a large formal party with dancing", "examples": [ { "text": "She met him at the ball." }, { "text": "We're organizing a charity ball." }, { "text": "We're going to a masked ball." }, { "text": "They're holding a charity ball at the end of the month." }, { "text": "They've hired a 10-piece band for the summer ball." }, { "text": "You shall go to the ball, Cinderella!" } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["charity", "college", "hunt"], "verb + ball": ["have", "hold", "organize"], "ball + noun": ["dress", "gown"], "preposition": ["at a/the ball"] } }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "a problem that prevents you from doing what you would like to do", "examples": [ { "text": "The responsibility was a ball and chain around my ankle." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "it is your/somebody’s responsibility to take action next", "examples": [ { "text": "They've offered me the job, so the ball's in my court now." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "a person who is full of energy and enthusiasm", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to take responsibility for getting something done", "labels": "(US English, informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "My co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to make a mistake and cause something that you are responsible for to fail", "labels": "(North American English, informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "Let’s not drop the ball on this." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to enjoy yourself a lot", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent", "labels": "(US English, informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to continue to give your attention to what is most important", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be aware of and understand what is happening and be able to react quickly", "examples": [ { "text": "The new publicity manager is really on the ball." } ], "topics": ["Personal qualities"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to develop an idea or plan that already exists", "labels": "(especially North American English)", "examples": [ { "text": "It's up to the private sector to take the ball and run with it." }, { "text": "The mainstream media will pick up the ball and run with it." }, { "text": "a challenge to other universities to pick up the ball and run with it" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to play with a ball", "labels": "(North American English)", "examples": [ { "text": "Chris was in the park playing ball with the kids." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "We contacted the airline about a refund but they wouldn’t play ball." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "the whole thing; everything", "labels": "(North American English, informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "I panicked, I cried—the whole ball of wax." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/bɔːl/", "audio": "ba/ball/ball__gb_3.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/bɔːl/", "audio": "ba/ball/ball__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "noun senses 1 to 6 Middle English: from Old Norse bǫllr, of Germanic origin. noun sense 7 early 17th cent.: from French bal ‘a dance’, from late Latin ballare ‘to dance’; related to Greek ballizein ‘to dance’ (also ballein ‘to throw’)." }