Gumballs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A sweet, chewy confection that is typically round, brightly colored, and enjoyed for its texture and flavor
2. A type of small, spherical sweet designed to be chewed and enjoyed for its fruity taste and chewy feel
3. A candy shaped like a ball that offers a burst of flavor and a chewy texture when eaten

Etymology: Gumballs take their name from two plain English words that were joined together. "Gum" came into English in the Middle English period from Anglo-Norman "gomme", itself from Latin "gumma", which was borrowed from Greek "kómmi" and ultimately traces back to an Egyptian word for a resin or gum. "Ball" is the older Germanic word for a round object, descended from the same root as the English "bell" family of sounds and shapes, and it has been in English since Old English times. The compound "gumball" simply describes what the sweet is: a round ball made of chewing gum. The plural "gumballs" is the regular form, with the final "s" added to "gumball". The combined term is a plain, descriptive compound rather than a coinage with a famous author or a dramatic change of meaning, so its interest lies mainly in how the two parts reached English by very different routes.

Synonyms: sweets, candies