Now rare. [f. WASH v.] A ball of soap (sometimes perfumed or medicated) used for washing the hands and face, and for shaving.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXIV. vii. II. 184. This Mastich … is used in sope, and wash-bals.
1672. Newton, in Phil. Trans., VII. 5102. Let some Water, in which a convenient quantity of Soap or wash-ball is dissolv’d, be agitated into Froth.
1683. Lond. Gaz., No. 1800/4. James Norcock … sells … the true and large Bolognia Wash-balls.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary (1879), May 1645. We furnish’d ourselves with wash-balls, the best being made here [Bologna].
1714. [Blanch], Beaux Merchant, I. 6. Have you brought my Riding-Whig, Mr. Barber, and your best Scented Wash-balls?
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 40, ¶ 4. I remember a wash-ball that had a quality truly wonderful.
1805. [S. Weston], Werneria, 39. Some clays are marbled, and look like wash-balls ready made.
1806–7. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life, XX. xlii. Dropping a wash-ball out of your frozen fingers.
1842. Borrow, Bible in Spain, xiii. He … forthwith produced two scented wash-balls which he offered for sale.
