bole

¹

[ bohl ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the stem or trunk of a tree.

bole

²

[ bohl ]

noun

1. any of a variety of soft, unctuous clays of various colors, used as pigments.
2. a medium red-brown color made from such clay.

bole

¹

/ bəʊl /

noun

1. the trunk of a tree

bole

²

/ bəʊl /

noun

1. a reddish soft variety of clay used as a pigment
2. a moderate reddish-brown colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of bole¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Old Norse bolr trunk (of a tree), torso; bulwark

Origin of bole²

1350–1400; Middle English bol < Late Latin bōlus lump; bolus

Word History and Origins

Origin of bole¹

C14: from Old Norse bolr ; related to Middle High German bole plank

Origin of bole²

C13: from Late Latin bōlus lump, from Greek bōlos

Example Sentences

It had spread, an ebony patch, equally about the bole of the tree, so that the sun must have been immediately overhead.

From Project Gutenberg

Silently he swung from bole to bole for a few minutes, and then disappeared.

From Project Gutenberg

"Then listen," said Tvita, re-filling his pipe and leaning his broad back against the bole of a cocoa-palm.

From Project Gutenberg

The boat had been hidden from them by the bole of a great tree which rose from the grass at the water's edge.

From Project Gutenberg

He had stood up, lashed against a slender palm bole, and died on his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chunk
• piece
• timber
• wood