bricole

American  

[bri-kohl, brik-uhl] / brɪˈkoʊl, ˈbrɪk əl /

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.

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bricole British  

/ brɪˈkəʊl, ˈbrɪkəl /

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

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

The silent Giaco deftly steered the boat past the bricole—the wooden posts that poked out of the water everywhere.

From Literature