fireball

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A ball of fire, especially one associated with an explosion, or (fiction, mythology)…

   A ball of fire, especially one associated with an explosion, or (fiction, mythology) thrown as a weapon.

   • He placed his arms in a blocking position, but even so, the fireball threw all three of them, Kylie, Percival, and Kelly, onto the wall.
   • In a moment, he was caught by the blast. He threw up his arms to cover his head as the surge of energy created by the fireball threw him aside.
2. 2

   A feisty, strong-willed person.

   • But ſure in a family it bodeth moſt bad, vvhen tvvo firebals (huſbands and vvives anger) come both together.
   • Her folks have a lot of money. I've never seen her, but she must be quite a fireball.
   • And Lydia's a sassy little fireball. Today's her first day of first grade, and I'm just glad her teacher hasn't had to call.
3. 3

   Synonym of fastball (“a high-speed pitch of a baseball”).

4. ›+ 13 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A bright glow caused by a spacecraft re-entering an atmosphere.

   2. 5

      A meteor bright enough to cast shadows

      A meteor bright enough to cast shadows; a bolide.

   3. 6

      A class of sailing dinghy with a single trapeze and a symmetrical spinnaker, sailed by a…

      A class of sailing dinghy with a single trapeze and a symmetrical spinnaker, sailed by a crew of two.

   4. 7

      A bag or ball filled with combustible material which is thrown as a weapon or to set…

      A bag or ball filled with combustible material which is thrown as a weapon or to set something alight.

      • [T]he ſlingers and archers together, vvith others alſo tumbling dovvne huge ſtones, vvith firebrands and fireballs, ſet them further off.
   5. 8

      An emanation of St. Elmo's fire

      An emanation of St. Elmo's fire; also (later), of ball lightning.

      • [T]here vvas ſuch a Tempeſt & thunder vvith great firebals of lightning, that the vault of the church brake, and halfe the Chancell vvas carried avvay.
      • It is an obſervation of Seamen, That if a ſingle meteor or fireball falls on their maſt, it portends ill luck; but if tvvo come together (vvhich they count Caſtor and Pollux) they preſage good ſucceſſe: […]
   6. 9

      A ball-shaped firelighter (“small block of a flammable substance, typically a combination…

      A ball-shaped firelighter (“small block of a flammable substance, typically a combination of sawdust and wax, used to light fires”).

   7. 10

      A ball of heat-resistant material placed in a fire to slow down the burning of the fuel.

   8. 11

      A statement intended to cause dissension or as a provocation.

   9. 12

      Excellent, terrific.

      • "Give us a hand," said Mack. "How's she look?" / "Fireball," said Eddie.
   10. 13

       To attack (someone or something) with balls of fire.

   11. 14

       To explode in a ball of fire or flame.

       • The car swerved off a road, hit a wall, and fireballed as the petrol tank exploded.
   12. 15

       To emerge suddenly

       To emerge suddenly; to explode.

   13. 16

       To pitch a baseball very fast.

The neighborhood

• neighborball of fire