handball
UK[ˈhændbɔːl]US[ˈhændbɔːl]
n
A team game in which a ball is thrown or hit with the hand towards a goal.
n
The large, inflated ball used in the game of handball.
Morpheme Breakdown
hand
ball
hand
body part
ball
spherical object
Etymology
The word 'handball' is a transparent Modern English compound, formed by directly combining two native Germanic nouns: 'hand' and 'ball'. The term logically describes a game ('ball') played with the 'hand', distinguishing it from other ball games like football. This compounding pattern is highly productive in English, creating clear, descriptive terms for sports and equipment. The modern organized team sport, with rules codified in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, took its name from this straightforward descriptive compound, though similar hand-and-ball games have ancient origins.
Analysis
Structure: hand (body part) + ball (spherical object)
- hand: From Old English 'hand', of Germanic origin. Functions as a noun root specifying the body part used.
- ball: From Old English 'beall' or Old Norse 'bǫllr', meaning a spherical object. Functions as a noun root specifying the object of play.
Examples
Handball is an exciting Olympic sport that requires speed and agility.
The goalkeeper made a spectacular save during the handball match.
She practiced throwing the handball against the wall to improve her technique.