martingale
[ mahr-tn-geyl ]
/ ˈmɑr tnˌgeɪl /
noun
Also called standing martingale.
part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting of a strap that fastens to the girth, passes between the forelegs and through a loop in the neckstrap or hame, and fastens to the noseband: used to steady or hold down the horse's head.
Also called running martingale.
a similar device that divides at the chest into two branches, each ending in a ring through which the reins pass.
Nautical.
a stay for a jib boom or spike bowsprit.
a system of gambling in which the stakes are doubled or otherwise raised after each loss.
Origin of martingale
1580–90; < Middle French: kind of hose fastened at the back, allegedly < Provençal
martegalo, feminine of
martegal, inhabitant of
Martigue, town in SE France, though sense apparently influenced by Spanish
almártaga harness < Arabic
al-martaʿah the vein
Words nearby martingale
martina,
martineau,
martinelli,
martinet,
martinez,
martingale,
martini,
martini-henry,
martinican,
martinique,
martinmas
Example sentences from the Web for martingale
British Dictionary definitions for martingale
martingale
/ (ˈmɑːtɪnˌɡeɪl) /
noun
a strap from the reins to the girth of a horse preventing it from carrying its head too high
any gambling system in which the stakes are raised, usually doubled, after each loss
Also called: martingale boom nautical
- a chain or cable running from a jib boom to the dolphin striker, serving to counteract strain
- another term for dolphin striker
Word Origin for martingale
C16: from French, of uncertain origin