foul line

foul line ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. Baseball. either of the two lines connecting home plate with first and third base respectively, or their continuations to the end of the outfield.
2. Also called free throw line. Basketball. a line on the court 15 feet (4.6 meters) from the backboard, from which foul shots are taken.
3. Bowling. a line on an alley at right angles to the gutters and 60 feet (18.3 meters) from the center of the spot for the headpin, across which a bowler may not step for fair delivery of the ball.

Origin of foul line An Americanism dating back to 1875–80 Examples from the Web for foul line Historical Examples of foul line

The latter are of the same substance as the foul-line and all are sunk flush with the surface of the bed.

The Wonder Book of Knowledge

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