card
1a usually rectangular piece of stiff paper, thin pasteboard, or plastic for various uses, as to write information on or printed as a means of identifying the holder: a 3″ × 5″ file card; a membership card.
one of a set of thin pieces of cardboard with spots, figures, etc., used in playing various games; playing card.
cards, (usually used with a singular verb)
a game or games played with such a set.
the playing of such a game: to win at cards.
Casino. the winning of 27 cards or more.
Whist. tricks won in excess of six.
Also called greeting card . a piece of paper or thin cardboard, usually folded, printed with a message of holiday greeting, congratulations, or other sentiment, often with an illustration or decorations, for mailing to a person on an appropriate occasion.
something useful in attaining an objective, as a course of action or position of strength, comparable to a high card held in a game: If negotiation fails, we still have another card to play.
a specified topic that elicits strong reactions, brought up as part of a strategic move to gain an advantage: She was accused of playing the gender card when her male boss passed her over for promotion.He pulled the race card by branding his Muslim opponent as radical.
Commerce.
a program of the events at races, boxing matches, etc.
a menu or wine list.
Computers.
Informal.
a person who is amusing or facetious.
any person, especially one with some indicated characteristic: a queer card.
to provide with a card.
to fasten on a card.
to write, list, etc., on cards.
Slang. to examine the identity card or papers of: The bartender was carding all youthful customers to be sure they were of legal drinking age.
Idioms about card
in / on the cards, impending or likely; probable: A reorganization is in the cards.
play one's cards right, to act cleverly, sensibly, or cautiously: If you play your cards right, you may get mentioned in her will.
put one's cards on the table, to be completely straightforward and open; conceal nothing: He always believed in putting his cards on the table.
Origin of card
1Other definitions for card (2 of 3)
a machine for combing and paralleling fibers of cotton, flax, wool, etc., prior to spinning to remove short, undesirable fibers and produce a sliver.
a similar implement for raising the nap on cloth.
to dress (wool or the like) with a card.
Origin of card
2Other words from card
- carder, noun
Other definitions for Card. (3 of 3)
Cardinal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for card (1 of 3)
/ (kɑːd) /
a piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard, usually rectangular, with varied uses, as for filing information in an index, bearing a written notice for display, entering scores in a game, etc
such a card used for identification, reference, proof of membership, etc: library card; identity card; visiting card
such a card used for sending greetings, messages, or invitations, often bearing an illustration, printed greetings, etc: Christmas card; birthday card
one of a set of small pieces of cardboard, variously marked with significant figures, symbols, etc, used for playing games or for fortune-telling
short for playing card
(as modifier): a card game
(in combination): cardsharp
informal a witty, entertaining, or eccentric person
short for cheque card, credit card
See compass card
Also called: race card horse racing a daily programme of all the races at a meeting, listing the runners, riders, weights to be carried, distances to be run, and conditions of each race
a thing or action used in order to gain an advantage, esp one that is concealed and kept in reserve until needed (esp in the phrase a card up one's sleeve)
short for printed circuit card: See printed circuit board
Origin of card
1- See also cards
British Dictionary definitions for card (2 of 3)
/ (kɑːd) /
(tr) to comb out and clean fibres of wool or cotton before spinning
(formerly) a machine or comblike tool for carding fabrics or for raising the nap on cloth
Origin of card
2Derived forms of card
- carding, noun
- carder, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Card. (3 of 3)
Cardinal
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with card
In addition to the idioms beginning with card
- card in
- cards are stacked against
- card up one's sleeve
also see:
- hold all the aces (the trump card)
- house of cards
- in the cards
- lay one's cards on the table
- play one's cards close to one's chest
play one's cards righttrump cardwild card.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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