bola

Everyday

1. A throwing weapon made of two or three heavy balls joined by cords, thrown to wrap around an animal's legs and catch it. tree →
2. (Bola) The name of a spider called the bolas spider, which catches moths with a sticky ball on a thread. tree →

In the lessons

In history and geography lessons it is linked with the gauchos (cowboys) of Argentina and with the native peoples of South America, who used bolas for hunting. In science it appears with the bolas spider. Phrases: "throw a bola", "bolas spider".

Examples

• The gaucho swung the bola around his head. tree →
• A bola wrapped around the running animal's legs. tree →
• Native hunters in South America used bolas to catch rheas. tree →
• The museum had a bola made of stones and leather. tree →
• The bolas spider swings a sticky ball to catch moths. tree →

Note

Both "bola" and "bolas" are used for one weapon; the plural can be "bolas" or "bolases". Not a toy: bolas can hurt people and animals.