THE FIRST WORD

bole

PRONUNCIATION:

(bohl) 

MEANING:

noun:	1. The trunk of a tree.
	2. Any of various kinds of soft fine clays typically of a reddish color.
	3. A reddish brown color.

ETYMOLOGY:

For 1: From Old Norse bolr (trunk). Ultimately from the Indo-European root bhel- (to blow or swell), which also gave us ball, balloon, boll, bulk, bowl, boulevard, boulder, ballot, folly, and fool. Earliest documented use: 1314.
For 2-3: From Latin bolus (lump), from Greek bolos (clod). Earliest documented use: 1558.

USAGE:

"In the midst of each room and hall, a living tree grows and holds up the roof, and its bole is hung with trophies and with antlers."
J.R.R. Tolkien; The Book of Lost Tales; George Allen & Unwin; 1983.

"Rub off some gold to let the red bole show through."
Martin Cruz; Gorky Park; Random House; 1981.