blackjack

[ blak-jak ]

noun

1. Cards.
   1. Also called twen·ty-one [twen, -tee-, wuhn, twuhn, -]. a gambling game in which the object is to obtain from the dealer cards whose values add up to, or close to, 21 but do not exceed it.
   2. a variety of this game in which any player can become dealer.
   3. Also called natural. (in the game of blackjack) an ace together with a ten or a face card as the first two cards dealt.
2. a short, leather-covered club, consisting of a heavy head on a flexible handle, used as a weapon.
3. black flag ( defs 1, 2 ).
4. a small oak, Quercus marilandica, of the eastern United States, having a nearly black bark and a wood of little value except for fuel.
5. a large drinking cup or jug for beer, ale, etc., originally made of leather coated externally with tar. Compare bombard ( def 7 ).
6. caramel or burnt sugar for coloring spirits, vinegar, coffee, etc.
7. Mineralogy. a dark, iron-rich variety of sphalerite.

verb (used with object)

1. to strike or beat with a blackjack.
2. to compel by threat.

blackjack

¹

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. pontoon or any of various similar card games
2. the ace of spades

blackjack

²

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a tarred leather tankard or jug

blackjack

³

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a dark iron-rich variety of the mineral sphalerite

blackjack

⁴

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a truncheon of leather-covered lead with a flexible shaft

verb

1. tr to hit with or as if with a blackjack
2. tr to compel (a person) by threats

blackjack

⁵

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a small oak tree, Quercus marilandica , of the southeastern US, with blackish bark and fan-shaped leaves Also calledblackjack oak

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackjack¹

First recorded in 1505–15; black + jack ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackjack¹

C20: from black + jack ¹(the knave)

Origin of blackjack²

C16: from black + jack ³

Origin of blackjack³

C18: from black + jack ¹(originally a miner's name for this useless ore)

Origin of blackjack⁴

C19: from black + jack ¹(implement)

Origin of blackjack⁵

C19: from black + jack ¹(from the proper name, popularly used in many plant names)

Example Sentences

For instance, people bet themselves into bankruptcy at blackjack tables based on what they easily remember — big winners — rather than on the vast majority of losers.

From Science News

He sent a similar text to a middle-aged blackjack player among very overt sexual messages.

From The Daily Beast

Each den of sin has its selling points, but Puerto Rican casinos make good with $5 minimums at the blackjack tables.

From The Daily Beast

Later, in the middle of a hot streak, the polo guy starts calling me “Miss 21, Miss Blackjack.”

From The Daily Beast

Instead they keep at it, with Paul Ryan and old “Blackjack” Bennett pressing ever onward at the Values Voter Summit on Friday.

From The Daily Beast

The problem was that I was a card counter: a professional blackjack player.

From The Daily Beast

"Blackjack" Donnely had made that clear in his trial in Texas.

From Project Gutenberg

The next evening, "Blackjack" Donnely was shot down at the front door of his own home.

From Project Gutenberg

If that were so, he—or they—could make the late "Blackjack" Donnely look like a meek, harmless, little mouse.

From Project Gutenberg

The case, even at that point, might have ended with an acquittal or a hung jury, but Donnely wasn't through using his blackjack.

From Project Gutenberg

He bit off a chew from his plug of "blackjack," and with calm eyes surveyed the doom toward which he was rushing.

From Project Gutenberg