Pronunciation: [bˈɒlz] (IPA) 
The word "bolls" is spelled with two "l's" to indicate the long "o" sound. In phonetic transcription, this sound is represented by the IPA symbol /oʊ/. The "b" at the beginning is pronounced with a bilabial stop, represented by the symbol /b/. The second "l" in the word is pronounced with a short, soft sound, represented by the symbol /l/. "Bolls" refers to the rounded seed capsules of plants such as cotton or flax.
Bolls are thick-walled capsules or pods that develop on certain plants and contain seeds or fibrous material. Primarily associated with cotton plants, bolls are the rounded, oval-shaped structures that house the cotton fibers. They develop from the fertilized flowers of cotton plants, specifically from the ovaries. Bolls start as small, green structures, and as they mature, they undergo significant changes in color and texture.
In the context of cotton, bolls are of great economic importance as they are the source of the valuable cotton fibers used in textile production. Cotton plants typically produce multiple bolls, which vary in size and shape depending on the species and variety. When fully mature, the bolls split open, revealing the fluffy white or creamy fibers inside. These fibers are carefully harvested from the bolls, processed, and spun into threads for various applications, including clothing, bedding, and other textiles.
The term "bolls" can also be used more broadly to refer to seed capsules that develop on other plants apart from cotton. For instance, in the case of flax, an oilseed crop, bolls are the rounded pods that contain the small oily seeds used for oil production and other purposes. Similarly, bolls can refer to the seed capsules found on plants like the okra, which contain edible seeds or a mucilaginous substance used in cooking. Overall, bolls serve as vital reproductive structures for numerous plant species and play a significant role in various industrial and culinary processes.
The word "bolls" is derived from the Middle English word "bolle", which was originally used to refer to a rounded seed pod or a measure of capacity. It can be traced back to the Old English word "bolla", meaning a round object. The term "bolls" specifically refers to the seed capsules of plants such as cotton or flax.
