fireball

English

/ˈfaɪə(ɹ)bɔːl/

noun
Definitions
  • A ball of fire, especially one associated with an explosion.
  • (astronomy) A meteor bright enough to cast shadows.
  • (sailing) A class of sailing dinghy with a single trapeze and a symmetrical spinnaker, sailed by a crew of two.
  • (heraldiccharge) A charge made of a disc-shaped bomb shell, with four sets of flames, at the top, bottom and on either side.
  • (military) A ball filled with combustibles to be thrown among enemies.

Etymology

Compound from English fire (shoot) + English ball (testicle, round object).

Origin

English

ball

Gloss

testicle, round object

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms