Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Boulder

Boul′der

(bōl′dẽr)
,
Noun.
Same as
Bowlder
.
{

Bowl′der

,

Boul′der

, }
Noun.
[Cf. Sw.
bullra
to roar, rattle, Dan.
buldre
, dial. Sw.
bullersteen
larger kind of pebbles; perh. akin to E.
bellow
.]
1.
A large stone, worn smooth or rounded by the action of water; a large pebble.
2.
(Geol.)
A mass of any rock, whether rounded or not, that has been transported by natural agencies from its native bed. See
Drift
.
Bowlder clay
,
the unstratified clay deposit of the Glacial or Drift epoch, often containing large numbers of bowlders.
Bowlder wall
,
a wall constructed of large stones or bowlders.

Definition 2024


boulder

boulder

English

Alternative forms

Noun

boulder (plural boulders)

  1. A large mass of stone detached from the surrounding land.
  2. (geology) A particle greater than 256 mm in diameter, following the Wentworth scale
  3. A large marble, in children's games.
    • 2006, Carol Benson, The Old Lonesome (page 84)
      There were four sizes of marbles and we called them boulders, biggies, regulars, and teenies.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

boulder (third-person singular simple present boulders, present participle bouldering, simple past and past participle bouldered)

  1. To engage in bouldering
    • 2005 November 18, “The ties that bind ..., ... and prevent falls have become family unifier in rock climbing”, in Salt Lake Tribune:
      He bouldered a route in the same area with ease. Mitchell, 11, was hanging with the older kids in an area where bouldering nearly upside down seemed to be....
    • 2006 July 18, Tony Durrant, “The steep learning curve”, in telegraph.co.uk:
      As the week unfolded, we were taught about the equipment we needed, how to tie a rope and what to wear. We learnt to balance on our feet rather than cling on with our arms and to trust our rock shoes, the moulded rubber slippers that can grip the smoothest of surfaces. We abseiled, bouldered and belayed.
    • 2007 February 15, “Homes blend eco-friendliness, unique design”, in Sierra Sun:
      Built around a massive egg-shaped granite boulder, the home of Darrow and ... “ There's even old climbing hardware in it because people bouldered on it for years.

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