Etymology From Middle English balled, ballid, bald (“bald”), of uncertain origin. Probably formed from Middle English bal, balle (“ball, round object, knoll, head”). Compare Old Danish bældet (“bald”). An alternate etymology relates it to Old English bǣl (“fire, flame; funeral pyre”), from Proto-Germanic *bēlą. Compare Albanian balë (“white spot on the forehead”) and ballë (“forehead”).
The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces.1921 June, Margery Williams, “The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real”, in Harper’s Bazar, volume LVI, number 6 (2504 overall), New York, N.Y.: International Magazine Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:
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Porn didn't revolutionize our pubic hair overnight […] but the general gist is that the vast majority of porn performers in film and magazines had full bushes until Hustler magazine printed a bald vulva, a so-called ‘pink shot’, in 1974.2019, Lynn Enright, Vagina: A Re-Education, Atlantic Books, →ISBN:
2
Specifically Having little or no hair on the head, or having a large area of bare scalp on top of the head.
a bald man with a moustache
“I am getting balder and balder trying to figure these things out,” he said at an event in Washington, D.C. on Monday where he acknowledged – as he has before – that he would not run outside the Democratic party establishment.2015 February 10, Dan Merica, quoting Bernie Sanders, “The Democratic presidential nominee that doesn’t have to be a registered Democrat”, in CNN:
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There has never been a bald James Bond nor a hairless contestant on Love Island. Growing up, bald men were never the superheroes and always the villains.2021 March 14, Michael Segalov, “It can leave your self-image fractured”, in The Guardian:
3
Of animals, having areas (of fur or plumage) that are colored white, especially on the head.
4
Of hair, nonexistent.
All my grandmothers are bald, all the way back to Tilly. Grandma Tilly from 1721. Full head of bald hair.2018, Jerma985, 3:43 from the start, in Would I Lie to You?, spoken by Jerma985, via YouTube:
The bald cypress is a tree that loses its leaves in winter.
6
Figuratively Of a tyre, whose surface is worn away.
7
Figuratively Of a statement or account, unembellished.
Such is a bald statement of the singular and romantic series of events which centred public attention upon this Lancashire tragedy.1922, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Black Doctor:
The NYSDOT, through the DSEIS, makes a bald assertion in the DSEIS, but does not explain in detail, why it feels that the Short Bypass Tunnel provides a more appropriate and respectful setting for the WTC Memorial.1994, Route 9A Reconstruction Project, Battery Place to 59th St.:
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Here the existential process (“there is”) functions as a bald assertion of fact, with no hedging or concessions to the observer's subjectivity, while the nominalization (“a significant role-reversal”) activates a pre-existing category from the discourse of Literary Criticism, into which the present "specimen" will be slotted.2006, João Ferreira Duarte, Alexandra Assis Rosa, Teresa Seruya, Translation Studies at the Interface of Disciplines, →ISBN, page 115:
But yesterday's remarks are the baldest affirmation yet that Putin has no real intention of resigning from politics.2007 November 14, Luke Harding, “Putin: I have a moral right to continue wielding influence”, in The Guardian:
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Figuratively Of a statement, without evidence or support being provided.
The plaintiff in this case must satisfy the judge that she has visible means, the mere bald statement that she has visible means is not suflicient.1891, The Australian law times - Volumes 12-13, page 61:
The question regarding this issue is whether the applicant raised sufficient doubts regarding adoption and use of the official mark by the respondent as to have the effect that the respondent's bald assertion is not enough to provide evidence that the official mark was adopted and used or whether a negative inference should be drawn from the failure of the respondent to provide further evidence.2001, Canadian patent reporter, page 194:
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The Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 gives police officials the power and discretion to conduct identification procedures 'A bald statement that the accused is the person who committed the crime is not enough ... the greatest care should be taken to test the evidence.2005, Colin Tredoux, Psychology and Law, →ISBN, page 198:
The EC's bald assertion of compliance in the context of this scientific and factual landscape highlights the fact that it has made no effort to demonstrate how its new import ban satisfies the conditions of a "provisional" ban under Article 5.7 of the SPS Agreement or "rationally relates" to or is "reasonably supported" by a risk assessment for purposes of Article 5.1 of the SPS Agreement.2010, World Trade Organization, Dispute Settlement Reports 2008: Volume 11, →ISBN, page 3959:
Etymology From Middle English balled, ballid, bald (“bald”), of uncertain origin. Probably formed from Middle English bal, balle (“ball, round object, knoll, head”). Compare Old Danish bældet (“bald”). An alternate etymology relates it to Old English bǣl (“fire, flame; funeral pyre”), from Proto-Germanic *bēlą. Compare Albanian balë (“white spot on the forehead”) and ballë (“forehead”).
1
Appalachia A mountain summit or crest that lacks forest growth despite a warm climate conducive to such, as is found in many places in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Brn hair eyes & stache sks same 28-38 for gd times fun frndship & or possibly more near Waltham area no balds drugs queens kinky scenes fats or pot smokg.1982 December 4, “GWM 32 6 165 North Of Bos”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 20 (personal advertisement), page 18:
bald
verb
Etymology From Middle English balled, ballid, bald (“bald”), of uncertain origin. Probably formed from Middle English bal, balle (“ball, round object, knoll, head”). Compare Old Danish bældet (“bald”). An alternate etymology relates it to Old English bǣl (“fire, flame; funeral pyre”), from Proto-Germanic *bēlą. Compare Albanian balë (“white spot on the forehead”) and ballë (“forehead”).
1
To become bald.
2
To make bald.
He looked like a new Army recruit. "You've balded me!" he cried. He was so mad and hurt. He told Mom he wasn't going back to school until his hair grew out.2009, Bill Murray, Renegade Colonel, page 34: