ballade, n.f., ballad.
ballage, n.m., (metal) balling.
ballant, adj., waving, swinging, dangling. Il va les bras —s; he swings his arms in walking.
ballast, n.m., (railways) ballasting.
balle, n.f., ball; bullet, shot; husk of rice; bale, pack; (print.) ball. À vous la —; it is your turn. Juger la —; to foresee the end. Prendre la — à la volée; to hit the ball in the air. Prendre la — au bond; to take the ball at the rebound; to seize the opportunity; to take time by the forelock. Enfants de la —; children following the business of their father. C’est un enfant de la —; he is his father’s son. Renvoyer la —; to return the ball, to give tit for tat, to turn the tables on. Fusil chargé à —; a musket loaded with ball. —s ramées; chain-shot. — morte; spent ball. À —s franches; free firing. — au camp; rounders. Marchandise de —; common, pack wares.
☉baller, v.n., to hop, to skip, to dance.
ballet, n.m., ballet.
ballon, n.m., balloon; football. Envoyer un — d’essai; to send out a feeler.
ballonné, -e, adj., distended, swollen.
ballonnement (-mān), n.m., (med.) swelling.