bola

American  

[boh-luh] / ˈboʊ lə /

noun

PLURAL

bolas

1. Also a weapon consisting of two or more heavy balls secured to the ends of one or more strong cords, hurled by the Indians and gauchos of southern South America to entangle the legs of cattle and other animals.

2. bolo tie.

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bola British  

/ ˈbəʊlə, ˈbəʊləs /

noun

1. a missile used by gauchos and Indians of South America, consisting of two or more heavy balls on a cord. It is hurled at a running quarry, such as an ox or rhea, so as to entangle its legs

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Etymology

Origin of bola

1835–45; < Spanish: ball < Old Provençal < Latin bulla bubble, knob; boil ¹

Example Sentences

Throughout the night, the organizer enthusiastically greets friends, checks in with the referee and yells the occasional “bola!” all while lugging around a tripod with his phone strapped to the top.

From Los Angeles Times

Sandi defends himself against the hired hands sent to kill him, such as Ramon — a psychotic barber armed with stainless steel shears — with only a bolas as his weapon.

From New York Times

She took the queso de bola, as we called it, and peeled the red waxy exterior with a short knife.

From Washington Post

Huge queues formed where la bola en la calle – the gossip on the street – told of chicken, pork or cooking oil.

From The Guardian

When the female spider hears the male moth approaching, she swings her sticky bola and snares him out of the air.

From Salon

Related Words

• blade
• knife
• sickle