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Balled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ข
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balled

[bษ”หld ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

emotional expression

The term 'balled' is the past tense of the verb 'ball,' which means to form something into a round shape. It can also refer to the act of a person crying or expressing strong emotions, often resulting in a balling-up of the features such as the face or hands. In a more informal context, it may denote someone behaving in a certain overly dramatic or exaggerated manner. In a colloquial sense, it's sometimes used to describe someone having a fit of anger or sadness.

Synonyms

cried, shed tears, sobbed, weeped.

Examples of usage

  • She balled her fists in frustration.
  • He balled up after hearing the bad news.
  • The child balled his eyes out when he fell.
  • After the breakup, she balled in her room for hours.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In sports, athletes often say they 'balled' during a game, referring to playing vigorously and energetically.
  • The phrase 'ball is life' in pop culture signifies the importance of basketball, reflecting a lifestyle centered around the sport.

Literature

  • In poetic contexts, the imagery of something being 'balled' often evokes feelings of tenderness and care, as seen in works that describe nature or intimacy.
  • Classic children's stories often use the idea of 'balled' to describe how animals or characters snug themselves into warm, round shapes for comfort.

Science

  • In biology, certain cells like lymphocytes can be described as having a 'balled' appearance when they clump together in response to infection.
  • The term also applies in physics; for example, 'balled' objects like droplets or bubbles can demonstrate unique properties due to surface tension.

Psychology

  • The act of balling emotions, like 'balled-up feelings,' refers to repressing feelings rather than expressing them, showing how we handle emotional distress.
  • Metaphors involving being 'balled up' can symbolize hiding or protecting one's true self, often explored in therapeutic contexts.

Origin of 'balled'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Balled' comes from the word 'ball,' which means a round object, and has origins in Middle English and Old French.
  • The term relates to various meanings, including making something round or compact, dating back to the 14th century.

The word 'balled' originates from the Old English term 'beallian', which meant to cry out or shout. Over time, it has evolved to represent not just vocal expressions but also emotional physicality. The transformation to mean โ€˜to ballโ€™ in contexts of forming shapes reflects the natural human gesture of clenching or gathering, often used in moments of emotional expression. The roots can be traced back to various Indo-European languages, which contributed a variety of terms related to shouting or crying. The modern vernacular usage, especially in emotional contexts, speaks to human experiences with sorrow or pain, making 'balled' a versatile expression in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,832, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.