domino1

[dom-uh-noh] /ˈdɒm əˌnoʊ/
noun, plural dominoes.
1.
a flat, thumbsized, rectangular block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each either blank or bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 such pieces form a complete set.
2.
dominoes, (used with a singular verb) any of various games played with such pieces, usually by matching the ends of pieces and laying the dominoes down in lines and angular patterns.
Origin
1710-20; perhaps special use of domino2

domino2

[dom-uh-noh] /ˈdɒm əˌnoʊ/
noun, plural dominoes, dominos.
1.
a large, hooded cloak with a mask covering the eyes, worn at masquerades.
2.
the mask.
3.
a person wearing such dress.
Origin
1710-20; < Italian: hood and mask costume < Medieval Latin or Middle French: black hood worn by priests in winter; obscurely akin to Latin dominus lord
Examples from the web for dominoes
  • Crayons and a box of dominoes to keep the children of my grad students happy.
  • He likened the crisis to popcorn rather than dominoes.
  • The slap of dominoes on nearby tables was as sharp and sudden as firecrackers.
  • Waiting, they play dominoes and trade stories of mythic-size potholes.
  • dominoes should not be used with agitated residents.
  • Demonstrate this process by using dominoes to represent the uranium fuel pellets and a ruler to represent the control rod.
  • Soldiers played cards and dominoes and found many other ways to amuse themselves.
British Dictionary definitions for dominoes

dominoes

/ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊz/
noun
1.
(functioning as sing) any of several games in which matching halves of dominoes are laid together

domino1

/ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ/
noun (pl) -noes
1.
a small rectangular block used in dominoes, divided on one side into two equal areas, each of which is either blank or marked with from one to six dots
2.
(modifier) exhibiting the domino effect: a domino pattern of takeovers
See also dominoes
Word Origin
C19: from French, from Italian, perhaps from domino! master, said by the winner

domino2

/ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ/
noun (pl) -noes, -nos
1.
a large hooded cloak worn with an eye mask at a masquerade
2.
the eye mask worn with such a cloak
Word Origin
C18: from French or Italian, probably from Latin dominus lord, master

Domino

/ˈdɒmɪnəʊ/
noun
1.
Fats. real name Antoine Domino born 1928, US rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll pianist, singer, and songwriter. His singles include "Ain't that a Shame" (1955) and "Blueberry Hill" (1956)
Word Origin and History for dominoes
n.

the usual form when referring to the game played with dominoes, c.1800; see domino.

domino

n.

1801, from French domino (1771), perhaps (on comparison of the black tiles of the game) from the meaning "hood with a cloak worn by canons or priests" (1690s), from Latin dominus "lord, master" (see domain), but the connection is not clear. Klein thinks it might be directly from dominus, "because he who has first disposed his pieces becomes 'the master.' " Metaphoric use in geopolitics is from April 1954, first used by U.S. President Eisenhower in a "New York Times" piece, in reference to what happens when you set up a row of dominos and knock the first one down.

Slang definitions & phrases for dominoes

dominoes

noun

Dice (1920s+)

Related Terms

galloping dominoes


Encyclopedia Article for dominoes

domino

simple gambling card game playable by two to eight players. The full deck of 52 cards is dealt out singly, so some hands may contain one more card than others. All players ante an agreed amount to a betting pool. In some circles anyone dealt one card fewer than others must ante an extra chip. Each player in turn, starting at the dealer's left, must play one card to the layout if legally able or otherwise must add one counter to the pool. The first player must play a 7. The next must play either the 8 or the 6 of the same suit to one long side of it or another 7 above or below it. Thereafter, each must play a card of the same suit and in unbroken sequence with one already on the table or another 7 if any are left. Sequences build up to the king in one direction and down to the ace in the other. The first player out of cards wins the pool, to which the others must add one chip for each unplayed card

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