spadille

[ spuh-dil ]
/ spəˈdɪl /

noun

the highest trump in certain card games, as the queen of clubs in omber.

Origin of spadille

1720–30; < French < Spanish espadilla, equivalent to espad(a) broadsword, spade in cards (< Latin spatha; see spade2) + -illa diminutive suffix

Example sentences from the Web for spadille

  • "I think, ladies and gentlemen, that I am Spadille this evening," he proclaimed in a voice of ice.

    The Passionate Elopement |Compton Mackenzie
  • In two hours Sir Asinus was sitting at spadille in the exceedingly undress costume of shirt, pantaloons, and silk stockings.

    The Youth of Jefferson |J. E. Cooke.

British Dictionary definitions for spadille

spadille
/ (spəˈdɪl) /

noun

cards (in ombre and quadrille) the ace of spades

Word Origin for spadille

C18: from French, from Spanish espadilla, diminutive of espada sword; see spade ²