Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A disk of hard wood for throwing at the pins in the game of skittles.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word skittle-ball.

Examples

  • Thrupp and Gutch, he looked like a stumpy skittle-ball between two attenuated skittles.

    Burlesques 2006

  • Sad to say, this was even so; Lancelot tried once or twice, for some five minutes at a time, throwing the fly as he threw a skittle-ball; but finding no fish at once respond to his precipitance, down he cast the rod, and left the rest of it to

    Mary Anerley Richard Doddridge 2004

  • In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

    Menhardoc George Manville Fenn 1870

  • "No," shouted Vane, throwing himself upon them, but not so cleverly as he had meant, for his toe caught in a protruding root, and he pitched forward more like a skittle-ball than a boy, knocking over the two gipsy lads, and himself rolling over amongst the beech-mast and dead leaves.

    The Weathercock Being the Adventures of a Boy with a Bias George Manville Fenn 1870

  • Sad to say, this was even so; Lancelot tried once or twice, for some five minutes at a time, throwing the fly as he threw a skittle-ball; but finding no fish at once respond to his precipitance, down he cast the rod, and left the rest of it to Jordas.

    Mary Anerley : a Yorkshire Tale 1862

  • But you, "breathlessly recovering his mildness of speech as Judy re - adjusts the cap on his skittle-ball of a head," you, my dear Mr. George, are likely to have some letter or paper that would suit the purpose.

    Bleak House Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 1853

  • But you, "breathlessly recovering his mildness of speech as Judy re - adjusts the cap on his skittle-ball of a head," you, my dear Mr. George, are likely to have some letter or paper that would suit the purpose.

    Bleak House Charles Dickens 1841

  • Thrupp and Gutch, he looked like a stumpy skittle-ball between two attenuated skittles.

    The Tremendous Adventures of Major Gahagan 1838

  • Brandon was a top-sawyer, but, as three out of the six working days of the week he was to be found with a pot of porter by his side, pipe in mouth, and the skittle-ball in his hand, it is not surprising that there was much misery in his home, which he often heightened by his brutality.

    Rattlin the Reefer Edward Howard 1820

  • a stumpy skittle-ball between two attenuated skittles.

    Burlesques William Makepeace Thackeray 1837

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.