chouette

American  

[shoo-et] / ʃuˈɛt /

noun

1. a variation of a two-handed game, as backgammon, allowing the participation of three or more persons, in which one player accepts the bets of all the others on the outcome of a game between that player and one other active player, who is permitted to receive advice from the nonplayers.

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Etymology

Origin of chouette

1885–90; < French, from the phrase faire la chouette to play alone against a group of opponents (in billiards, etc.), literally, to play the barn owl, perhaps alluding to the owl's watchful look

Example Sentences

There are good sections on probabilities and such popular variations of the game as acey-deucy and chouette.

From Time Magazine Archive

Aha, Milady La Grande, you will call ma chérie bête, chouette, stupide, and trouble her poor sweet soul.

From Lady Maude's Mania by Fenn, George Manville

"En vérité, elle est chouette cette Violette Anglaise."

From Beatrice Boville and Other Stories by Ouida

From this came the nickname of "Chuin" which means chouette or owl in the dialect of that region.

From The Chouans by Wormeley, Katharine Prescott