tenpins

[ ten-pinz ]

/ ˈtɛnˌpɪnz /

(used with a singular verb) a form of bowling, played with ten wooden pins at which a ball is bowled to knock them down.

tenpin, a pin used in this game.

Origin of tenpins

First recorded in 1590–1600; ten + pin + -s³

How he got past Dick never knew, but those watching saw him fiercely bowl over his opponent like a tenpin.

Dick Hamilton's Football Team |Howard R. Garis
The Gutter Pup went back like a tenpin, staggered, and kept his footing.

The Eternal Boy |Owen Johnson
Dick had let fly the jagged stone, taking him directly in the forehead and keeling him over like a tenpin.

The Boy Land Boomer |Ralph Bonehill
The bear gave me a slashing cuff on the side of the head, and I went down like a tenpin.

The Young Forester |Zane Grey

"Why, they've put you into a tenpin alley," were his words of greeting.

The Battle Ground |Ellen Glasgow

tenpin

/ (ˈtɛnˌpɪn) /

one of the pins used in tenpin bowling See also tenpins

tenpins

/ (ˈtɛnˌpɪnz) /

(functioning as singular) a US and Canadian name for tenpin bowling