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cricket
1[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /
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noun
any of several jumping, orthopterous insects of the family Gryllidae, characterized by long antennae and stridulating organs on the forewings of the male, as one of the species commonly found in pastures and meadows (field cricket ) or on trees and shrubs (tree cricket ).
a small metal toy with a flat metal spring that snaps back and forth with a clicking, cricketlike noise when pressed.
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Origin of cricket
1First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English criket, creket, from Old French criquet, equivalent to criqu(er) “to creak” (imitative) + -et noun suffix; see -et
OTHER WORDS FROM cricket
crick·et·like, adjectiveWords nearby cricket
Other definitions for cricket (2 of 4)
cricket2
[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /
noun
a game, popular especially in England, for two teams of 11 members each that is played on a field having two wickets 22 yards (20 meters) apart, the object being to score runs by batting the ball far enough so that one is enabled to exchange wickets with the batsman defending the opposite wicket before the ball is recovered.
fair play; honorable conduct: It wouldn't be cricket to look at his cards.
verb (used without object)
to play cricket.
Origin of cricket
2First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French criquet “goalpost”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle Dutch krick(e) “arm, crosspiece, stick, staff, gallows”
OTHER WORDS FROM cricket
crick·et·er, nounOther definitions for cricket (3 of 4)
cricket3
[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /
noun
a small, low stool.
Origin of cricket
3First recorded in 1635–45; of obscure origin; compare cracket, with same sense
Other definitions for cricket (4 of 4)
cricket4
[ krik-it ]
/ ˈkrɪk ɪt /
noun
(on a sloping roof) a small roof for diverting rainwater around an obstruction, as a chimney.
Origin of cricket
4Of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use cricket in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for cricket (1 of 3)
cricket1
/ (ˈkrɪkɪt) /
noun
any insect of the orthopterous family Gryllidae, having long antennae and, in the males, the ability to produce a chirping sound (stridulation) by rubbing together the leathery forewings
any of various related insects, such as the mole cricket
Word Origin for cricket
C14: from Old French criquet, from criquer to creak, of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for cricket (2 of 3)
cricket2
/ (ˈkrɪkɪt) /
noun
- a game played by two teams of eleven players on a field with a wicket at either end of a 22-yard pitch, the object being for one side to score runs by hitting a hard leather-covered ball with a bat while the other side tries to dismiss them by bowling, catching, running them out, etc
- (as modifier)a cricket bat
not cricket informal not fair play
verb (intr)
to play cricket
Derived forms of cricket
cricketer, nounWord Origin for cricket
C16: from Old French criquet goalpost, wicket, of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for cricket (3 of 3)
cricket3
/ (ˈkrɪkɪt) /
noun
a small low stool
Word Origin for cricket
C17: of unknown 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
Other Idioms and Phrases with cricket
cricket
see not cricket.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.