gambit Hear it!

gambit definition

gam·bit (gam′bit)

noun

  1. Chess an opening in which a pawn or other piece is sacrificed to get an advantage in position
  2. an opening maneuver, action, or remark intended to gain an advantage or to offer an opinion

Etymology: Fr < OFr gambet < Sp gambito, a tripping < It gamba, a leg < ML gamba: see gamb

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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