Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

bricole

[bri-kohl, brik-uh l]
noun
  1. Billiards. a shot in which the cue ball strikes a cushion after touching the object ball and before hitting the carom ball.
  2. an indirect action or unexpected stroke.
Show More

Origin of bricole

1515–25; earlier, rebound off a court wall (in tennis), catapult < Middle French < Italian briccola, probably, with suffix substitution, < Langobardic *brihhil- that which breaks; compare Middle High German brechel-, derivative of brechen to break
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bricole

Historical Examples

  • “Bricole” angles are made across the table, and are of course proportionately more acute.

    Every Boy's Book: A Complete Encyclopdia of Sports and Amusements

    Various

British Dictionary definitions for bricole

bricole

noun
  1. billiards a shot in which the cue ball touches a cushion after striking the object ball and before touching another ball
  2. (in ancient and medieval times) a military catapult for throwing stones, etc
  3. (esp formerly) a harness worn by soldiers for dragging guns or carrying stretchers
  4. an indirect or unexpected action
Show More

Word Origin

C16: from Old French: catapult, from Medieval Latin bricola, of uncertain origin
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