speelbal

Dutch

Etymology

Compound of spelen +‎ bal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈspeːl.bɑl/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: speel‧bal

Noun

speelbal m (plural speelballen, diminutive speelballetje n)

1. (figurative) a helpless victim of external forces
2. (chiefly diminutive) a ball used for playing, especially one belonging to a pet