pila
[ˈpiː.ɫa]feminine
The Latin word for ball is pila.
The term refers to an object, generally spherical, used for playing games.
Meaning: object, generally spherical, used for playing games (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use pilam when the ball is the direct object of a verb, such as in the phrase 'catching the ball'. Use pilas when multiple balls are the direct object. To indicate possession (the ball's) or direction toward the ball, use pilae. When something is being given to or done for multiple balls, use the dative plural form pilis.
Did you know?
- Roman balls were often made of leather stuffed with hair, feathers or wool to keep them lightweight.
- One theory suggests that pila may have originally meant a 'bundle of hair' before it came to mean a spherical object.
- The term follis, another word for ball, literally refers to a 'leather bag' or 'bellows'.
Examples in context
- Utra pila alba est?Which ball is white?This is useful for asking which ball is white using pila.Tatoeba #1238176 by alexmarcelo, translation #464512 by lukaszpp
- Lusor pilam non cepit.The player didn't catch the ball.This is useful for saying a player didn't catch the ball using pila.Tatoeba #13588389 by rul, translation #13505499 by rul
- Thomas pilam non excepit.Tom didn't catch the ball.This is useful for saying Tom didn't catch the ball using pila.Tatoeba #8940250 by alexmarcelo, translation #4666169 by CK
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aurelia and Quintus are playing in a garden.
- AureliaUbi est pila nostra?Where is our ball?
- QuintusPila sub arbore est.The ball is under the tree.
- AureliaDa mihi pilam, quaeso.Give me the ball, please.
- QuintusEcce, accipe pilam!Here, take the ball!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ball” translations and entries pila, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pila, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
