MARTINGAL

Noun

martingal (plural martingals)

Alternative form of martingale (piece of harness for a horse)

Source: Wiktionary


Mar"tin*gale, Mar"tin*gal, n. Etym: [F. martingale; cf. It. martingala a sort of hose, martingale, Sp. martingala a greave, cuish, martingale, Sp. almártaga a kind of bridle.]

1. A strap fastened to a horse's girth, passing between his fore legs, and fastened to the bit, or now more commonly ending in two rings, through which the reins pass. It is intended to hold down the head of the horse, and prevent him from rearing.

2. (Naut.)

Definition: A lower stay of rope or chain for the jib boom or flying jib boom, fastened to, or reeved through, the dolphin striker. Also, the dolphin striker itself.

3. (Gambling)

Definition: The act of doubling, at each stake, that which has been lost on the preceding stake; also, the sum so risked; -- metaphorically derived from the bifurcation of the martingale of a harness. [Cant] Thackeray.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

7 November 2024

ERASE

(verb) remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing; “Please erase the formula on the blackboard--it is wrong!”


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