boll

¹ American  

[bohl] / boʊl /

noun

Botany.

1. a rounded seed vessel or pod of a plant, as of flax or cotton.

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Böll ² American  

[bœl] / bœl /

noun

1. Heinrich (Theodor) 1917–85, German novelist and short-story writer: Nobel Prize 1972.

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boll ¹ British  

/ bəʊl /

noun

1. the fruit of such plants as flax and cotton, consisting of a rounded capsule containing the seeds

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Böll ² British  

/ bœl /

noun

1. Heinrich (ˈhaɪnrɪç) ( Theodor ). 1917–85, German novelist and short-story writer; his novels include Group Portrait with Lady (1971): Nobel prize for literature 1972

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boll Scientific  

/ bōl /

1. The seed-bearing capsule of certain plants, especially cotton and flax.

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Etymology

Origin of boll

1400–50; late Middle English bolle, perhaps < Middle Dutch bolle ( Dutch bol ), though formally identical with bowl ¹

Example Sentences

So the migration is as much about work and the boll weevil as it is about this notion of opportunity.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2022

He remembers when growing up that trucks carrying cotton across the bridge were inspected for boll weevils that could devastate crops.

From Washington Post • Jul. 27, 2020

We assume he wove it himself out of whatever cotton-esque plants are flourishing after he killed exactly one-half the boll weevils on his planet of refuge.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2019

The cotton boll weevil is considered a major pest because of the damage it does to cotton plants.

From Textbooks • Sep. 6, 2018

Zach said the farmers had planted and harvested their cotton early this year because of the boll weevil.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd