Boll – Definition & Meaning

Boll is a word that may not be familiar to everyone, but it is a term that has been used for centuries. It is a word that has been used in agriculture to describe a specific part of a plant, and it has also been used in other contexts. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of boll, its origin, and its associations.

Definitions

A boll is a protective capsule or pod that contains seeds, usually of a cotton or flax plant. It is a structure that develops from the ovary of a flower and is often used to describe the fruit of a plant. Bolls are typically found on the stem of a plant and can vary in size and shape depending on the species.

Origin

The word boll has its origins in the Old English word “bolle,” which means “round object.” It is believed that the word was first used to describe the seed pod of a plant in the 14th century.

Meaning in different dictionaries

In the Oxford English Dictionary, boll is defined as “a rounded seed capsule or pod, especially of cotton or flax.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “the seed capsule of a plant (such as cotton or flax).” The Cambridge English Dictionary defines boll as “a rounded seed container on a plant, especially on a cotton plant.”

Associations

Bolls are often associated with cotton plants, as they are the most common plant that produces them. They are also associated with the textile industry, as cotton is a primary material used in clothing production. In addition, bolls are associated with agriculture and farming, as they are an important part of the plant’s reproductive cycle.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for boll include pod, capsule, husk, and shell. These words are often used interchangeably to describe the protective structure that surrounds a plant’s seeds.

Antonyms

As boll is a specific term used to describe a part of a plant, there are no real antonyms for it. However, some words that are opposite in meaning to the concept of a boll include seedless, barren, and infertile.

The same root words

The word boll has no direct root words, but it is related to other words in the English language. For example, the word “bolster” comes from the Old English word “bolster,” which means “a long, narrow pillow.” The word “ball” is also related, as it comes from the Old English word “beall,” which means “round object.”

Example Sentences

1. The cotton plant’s bolls were bursting with fluffy white fibers.
2. The flax plant’s bolls were harvested to make linen fabric.
3. The farmer inspected the bolls on his crop to ensure they were healthy and ripe.
4. The textile factory received a shipment of bolls from a cotton farm.
5. The scientist studied the structure of the boll to better understand the plant’s reproductive cycle.