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ballot

bale, bundle

noun bah-LOH Rare

Also means

fool, dimwit (informal)

Usage Note

Ballot has two distinct registers: in standard use it is a large wrapped bundle or bale of goods (un ballot de coton), but in informal French it doubles as a mild insult meaning a simpleton or fool, similar to 'twit'. The plural ballots is regular; the final 't' is silent.

Examples

"Le douanier a ouvert le ballot."

Natural Translation

The customs officer opened the bale.

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