chicane
[ shi-keyn, chi- ]
/ ʃɪˈkeɪn, tʃɪ- /
noun
deception; chicanery.
verb (used with object), chi·caned, chi·can·ing.
to trick by chicanery.
to quibble over; cavil at.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of chicane
1665–75; <French chicane (noun), chicaner (v.), perhaps <Middle Low German schikken to arrange
OTHER WORDS FROM chicane
chi·can·er, nounWords nearby chicane
Chicago style, Chicago window, chicalote, Chican@, Chicana, chicane, chicanery, chicanismo, Chicano, Chicanos, Chicanx
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for chicane
chicane
/ (ʃɪˈkeɪn) /
noun
a bridge or whist hand without trumps
motor racing a short section of sharp narrow bends formed by barriers placed on a motor-racing circuit to provide an additional test of driving skill
a less common word for chicanery
verb
(tr) to deceive or trick by chicanery
(tr) to quibble about; cavil over
(intr) to use tricks or chicanery
Derived forms of chicane
chicaner, nounWord Origin for chicane
C17: from French chicaner to quibble, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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