boule

[ bool ]

/ bul /

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noun

Also called birne. a cylindrical lump of material for synthetic gems, made by the Verneuil process.

a metal ball, usually made out of steel, used in pétanque.

Sometimes boules. pétanque.

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Origin of boule

1915–20; <French: literally, a ball; see bowl²

Words nearby boule

boulder, Boulder Canyon, boulder clay, Boulder Dam, bouldering, boule, boules, bouleuterion, boulevard, boulevardier, bouleversement

Other definitions for boule (2 of 3)

boule²

[ bool ]

/ bul /

noun (often initial capital letter)Furniture.

buhl.

Also called boule·work

[bool-wurk]. /ˈbulˌwɜrk/.

Other definitions for boule (3 of 3)

Boule

[ boo-lee, boo-ley ]

/ ˈbu li, buˈleɪ /

noun

the legislative assembly of modern Greece.

(sometimes lowercase) a state legislative, advisory, or administrative council in ancient Greece.

Origin of Boule

1840–50; <Greek: a council, body of chosen ones

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use boule in a sentence

In making sourdough boules in the past, I had almost always stayed with the classics, occasionally branching out with a sesame or smoked paprika loaf.
Remy From ‘Ratatouille’ Taught Me to Never Settle for Boring Bread|Dayna Evans|September 30, 2021|Eater
While I admire the gumption of home bread bakers to do just that, no, I am obviously not telling you to bake a boule as an easy or quick way to fill out your meal.
7 ideas for simple side dishes to round out dinner|Aaron Hutcherson|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
She was also crudely nicknamed “La Boule” in a reference to the ball and chain.
Sight Unseen: Cézanne’s Mysterious Wife|Lizzie Crocker|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Everything changed as soon as her relations with Jupillon and her assiduous attendance at the Boule-Noire were known.
Germinie Lacerteux|Edmond and Jules de Goncourt

The bones from Denise (now rehabilitated in respect of their antiquity by Professor Boule) present similar features.
Prehistoric Man|W. L. H. Duckworth
Boule claims one glaciation of Pliocene antiquity, followed by two Pleistocene glaciations.
Prehistoric Man|W. L. H. Duckworth
Upon an examination of the controversial literature, the award here given is in favour of Professor Boule's scheme.
Prehistoric Man|W. L. H. Duckworth
Such are the main considerations upon which the decision has been taken in favour of Professor Boule's chronological scale.
Prehistoric Man|W. L. H. Duckworth

British Dictionary definitions for boule (1 of 3)

boule¹

/ (ˈbuːliː) /

noun

the parliament in modern Greece

the senate of an ancient Greek city-state

Word Origin for boule

C19: from Greek boulē senate

British Dictionary definitions for boule (2 of 3)

boule²

/ (buːl) /

noun

a pear-shaped imitation ruby, sapphire, etc, made from synthetic corundum

Word Origin for boule

C19: from French: ball

British Dictionary definitions for boule (3 of 3)

boule³

/ (buːl) /

noun

a round loaf of white bread

Word Origin for boule

C20: from French: a ball

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012