Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cup-and-ball

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.77 in modern English

Syllables: cup-and-ball
IPA

17

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A traditional children's toy consisting of a hand-held wooden cup with a ball attached by a string. The player jerks the ball into the air and attempts to catch it in the cup.

Example Sentences

"When I was at Motiers, I used to employ myself in making laces with my neighbors, and were I again to mix with the world, I would always carry a cup-and-ball in my pocket; I should sometimes play with it the whole day, that I might not be constrained to speak when I had nothing to discourse about; and I am persuaded, that if every one would do the same, mankind would be less mischievous, their company would become more rational, and, in my opinion, a vast deal more agreeable; in a word, let wits laugh if they please, but I maintain, that the only practical lesson of morality within the reach of the present age, is that of the cup-and-ball."

Inflected Forms

cup-and-balls (plural) cups-and-balls (plural)

Frequently Paired Words

kendama

Synonyms

bilboquet

Questions

What does cup-and-ball mean?: A traditional children's toy consisting of a hand-held wooden cup with a ball attached by a string. The player jerks the ball into the air and attempts to catch it in the cup.

How to pronounce cup-and-ball

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