BALL. In the somewhat indefinite language of the military and naval arts, all kinds of shot and bullets are occasionally called by the collective name of ball. This was especially the case when nearly all such projectiles were solid and spherical, before the era of hollow and spheroidal shells. At present, when the varieties are so numerous, it is more usual to employ the terms BULLET and SnOT (q.v.). These, together-with SirELL, are subdivided into numerous kinds, the most important of which will be found noticed under their proper designations. A particular class of spherical combustibles is described under BALLS. For BALL-CARTRIDGE, see CARTRIDGE.
BALL (Fr. sal), a dancing entertainment. In England there are en. balls, attended by the gentry of the shire or co. military balls, court balls, subscription balls, besides balls on various festive occasions. Whether designated balls or assemblies, these entertainments are conducted with great decorum, according to certain established usages. If of a general kind, it is expected that those who avail themselves of tickets shall be of undoubted respectability; and, as a further voucher of propriety, a number of lady-patronesses (married ladies of distinction) take a lead in the management, and grace the assembly by their presence. Ordinarily, the charge for gentlemen's tickets at
subscription balls is at least two-thirds higher than those for ladies. According to etiquette, no unmarried lady can attend a ball unless she accompany a gentleman, or a married lady. All, of both sexes, are expected to be in full dress—anything else would be held disrespectful. Fancy balls are entertainments at which every person attending is expected to be in a fancy or peculiar national costume; in other respects, they are conducted like ordinary balls. balls, once so common, have now, for obvious reasons, lost their repute. At all high-class balls, there is an appointed master of the ceremonies, or "director." who superintends the proceedings, and, in the event of there being no programme, prescribes the dances.
13 A TJ,, Gum o'. See BASE BALL.