gambit
[ gam-bit ]
/ ˈgæm bɪt /
noun
Chess.
an opening in which a player seeks to obtain some advantage by sacrificing a pawn or piece.
any maneuver by which one seeks to gain an advantage.
a remark made to open or redirect a conversation.
Origin of gambit
1650–60; < French < Spanish
gambito or Italian
gambetto (akin to Old French
gambet, jambet), equivalent to
gamb(a) leg +
-etta
-et
Words nearby gambit
Example sentences from the Web for gambit
British Dictionary definitions for gambit
gambit
/ (ˈɡæmbɪt) /
noun
chess
an opening move in which a chessman, usually a pawn, is sacrificed to secure an advantageous position
an opening comment, manoeuvre, etc, intended to secure an advantage or promote a point of view
Word Origin for gambit
C17: from French, from Italian
gambetto a tripping up, from
gamba leg