Large bundles of compressed material, especially hay, cotton, or paper, bound with wire or rope for storage or transport. Also the plural of the unit of measurement for such bundles.
From Old French 'balle' meaning 'ball, bundle,' possibly from Frankish. The word entered English in the 14th century, initially referring to any large package of goods, before specializing in agricultural and textile contexts.
Modern hay balers can create perfectly cylindrical bales weighing over 1,000 pounds, but the iconic rectangular bales that dot pastoral landscapes are actually less efficient - they're just easier for humans to handle! Square bales typically weigh 40-60 pounds each.
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