spadille

[ spuh-dil ]

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

Words Nearby spadille

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use spadille in a sentence

The ace of spades, or spadille, was always the first trump; the ace of clubs (Basto) always the third.
The Journal to Stella | Jonathan Swift
spadille, spa-dil′, n. the ace of spades in the games of ombre and quadrille.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) | Various
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.
"I think, ladies and gentlemen, that I am spadille this evening," he proclaimed in a voice of ice.
The Passionate Elopement | Compton Mackenzie

British Dictionary definitions for spadille

spadille

/ (spəˈdɪl) /

noun

cards (in ombre and quadrille) the ace of spades

Origin of spadille

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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