cricket

1
[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

any of several jumping, orthopterous insects of the family Gryllidae, characterized by long antennae and stridulating organs on the forewings of the male, as one of the species commonly found in pastures and meadows (field cricket) or on trees and shrubs (tree cricket).
a small metal toy with a flat metal spring that snaps back and forth with a clicking, cricketlike noise when pressed.

Origin of cricket

1
1275–1325; Middle English criket insect < Old French criquet, equivalent to criqu(er) to creak (imitative) + -et -et

OTHER WORDS FROM cricket

crick·et·like, adjective

Definition for cricket (2 of 4)

cricket 2
[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

a game, popular especially in England, for two teams of 11 members each that is played on a field having two wickets 22 yards (20 meters) apart, the object being to score runs by batting the ball far enough so that one is enabled to exchange wickets with the batsman defending the opposite wicket before the ball is recovered.
fair play; honorable conduct: It wouldn't be cricket to look at his cards.

verb (used without object)

to play cricket.

Origin of cricket

2
1590–1600; < Middle French criquet goal post, perhaps < early Dutch krick(e) arm, crosspiece, gallows

OTHER WORDS FROM cricket

crick·et·er, noun

Definition for cricket (3 of 4)

cricket 3
[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

a small, low stool.

Origin of cricket

3
First recorded in 1635–45; of obscure origin; compare cracket, with same sense

Definition for cricket (4 of 4)

cricket 4
[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

(on a sloping roof) a small roof for diverting rain water around an obstruction, as a chimney.

Origin of cricket

4
of uncertain origin

Example sentences from the Web for cricket

British Dictionary definitions for cricket (1 of 3)

cricket 1
/ (ˈkrɪkɪt) /

noun

any insect of the orthopterous family Gryllidae, having long antennae and, in the males, the ability to produce a chirping sound (stridulation) by rubbing together the leathery forewings
any of various related insects, such as the mole cricket

Word Origin for cricket

C14: from Old French criquet, from criquer to creak, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for cricket (2 of 3)

cricket 2
/ (ˈkrɪkɪt) /

noun

  1. a game played by two teams of eleven players on a field with a wicket at either end of a 22-yard pitch, the object being for one side to score runs by hitting a hard leather-covered ball with a bat while the other side tries to dismiss them by bowling, catching, running them out, etc
  2. (as modifier)a cricket bat
not cricket informal not fair play

verb (intr)

to play cricket

Derived forms of cricket

cricketer, noun

Word Origin for cricket

C16: from Old French criquet goalpost, wicket, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for cricket (3 of 3)

cricket 3
/ (ˈkrɪkɪt) /

noun

a small low stool

Word Origin for cricket

C17: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases with cricket

cricket

see not cricket.