Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

Bal|kani|za|tion /bɔː lkəna I ze I ʃ ^ə n/ The spellings balkanization , and in British English balkanisation are also used. N‑UNCOUNT If you disapprove of the division of a country into separate independent states, you can refer to the Balkanization of the country. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  We can't accept the fragmentation or balkanization of the country.

ball ◆◆◇ /bɔː l/ (balls , balling , balled )

1 N‑COUNT A ball is a round object that is used in games such as tennis, baseball, football, basketball, and cricket. □  …a golf ball. □  …a tennis ball.

2 N‑COUNT A ball is something or an amount of something that has a round shape. □  Thomas screwed the letter up into a ball. □ [+ of ] They heard a loud explosion and saw a ball of fire go up.

3 VERB When you ball something or when it balls , it becomes round. □ [V n adv/prep] He picked up the sheets of paper, and balled them tightly in his fists. □ [V adv/prep] His hands balled into fists.

4 N‑COUNT The ball of your foot or the ball of your thumb is the rounded part where your toes join your foot or where your thumb joins your hand.

5 N‑COUNT A ball is a large formal social event at which people dance.

6 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A man's balls are his testicles. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]

7 → see also balls

8 PHRASE If you say that the ball is in someone's court , you mean that it is his or her responsibility to take the next action or decision in a situation. □  The ball's now in your court–you have to decide what you're going to do.

9 PHRASE If you get the ball rolling , set the ball rolling , or start the ball rolling , you start something happening. □  He will try to get the ball rolling again on peace talks.

10 PHRASE If someone is on the ball , they are very alert and aware of what is happening. □  She really is on the ball; she's bought houses at auctions so she knows what she's doing.

11 PHRASE If someone refuses to play ball , they are unwilling to do what someone wants them to do. [INFORMAL ] □  The association has threatened to withdraw its support if the banks refuse to play ball.

bal|lad /bæ ləd/ (ballads )

1 N‑COUNT A ballad is a long song or poem which tells a story in simple language.

2 N‑COUNT A ballad is a slow, romantic, popular song.

bal|last /bæ ləst/ N‑UNCOUNT Ballast is any substance that is used in ships or hot-air balloons to make them heavier and more stable. Ballast usually consists of water, sand, or iron.

ba ll bea r|ing (ball bearings ) also ball-bearing N‑COUNT Ball bearings are small metal balls placed between the moving parts of a machine to make the parts move smoothly.

ba ll boy (ball boys ) N‑COUNT In a tennis match, the ball boys pick up any balls that go into the net or off the court and throw them back to the players. In a baseball game, the ball boys are in charge of collecting the balls that are hit out of the field.

bal|le|ri|na /bæ ləriː nə/ (ballerinas ) N‑COUNT A ballerina is a woman ballet dancer.

bal|let /bæ le I , [AM ] bæle I / (ballets )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N , oft N n] Ballet is a type of very skilled and artistic dancing with carefully planned movements. □  I trained as a ballet dancer. □  She is also keen on the ballet.

2 N‑COUNT A ballet is an artistic work that is performed by ballet dancers. □  The performance will include the premiere of three new ballets.

bal|let|ic /bæle t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's movements as balletic , you mean that they have some of the graceful qualities of ballet. □  The subject seems to dance with balletic grace.

ba ll game (ball games ) also ballgame

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Ball games are games that are played with a ball such as tennis, baseball, and football.

2 N‑COUNT A ball game is a baseball match. [AM ] □  I'd still like to go to a ball game.