cricket1
[krik-it]
- 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 cricket1
1275–1325; Middle English criket insect < Old French criquet, equivalent to criqu(er) to creak (imitative) + -et -et
cricket2
[krik-it]
- 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.
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- to play cricket.
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Origin of cricket2
1590–1600; < Middle French criquet goal post, perhaps < early Dutch krick(e) arm, crosspiece, gallows
cricket3
[krik-it]
- a small, low stool.
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Origin of cricket3
First recorded in 1635–45; of obscure origin; compare cracket, with same sense
cricket4
[krik-it]
- (on a sloping roof) a small roof for diverting rain water around an obstruction, as a chimney.
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Origin of cricket4
of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cricket
Contemporary Examples
Cricket is a sport enjoyed by hundreds of millions around the globe, mainly in former British colonies.
His life, as he himself admits, is all cricket from an early age.
But the language about public schools and cricket bewildered audiences and Frank Rich gave it a stinking review.
Bring ‘Another Country’ to Broadway: Why a Hit British Classic Needs Its New York MomentTom Teodorczuk
June 2, 2014
So if I am ever having quite a stressful day ... you can put a buffalo on in the background or a cricket.
"Emotional" New Dad Prince William: Why I proposed to Kate in My Beloved African BushTom Sykes
September 10, 2013
As night fell and the frog and cricket symphony geared up for a stellar performance, we mapped out a plausible plan.
Historical Examples
Most of these are raw boys, who know all that can be learned of war on a cricket field.
In the Midst of AlarmsRobert Barr
The cricket in the raspberry-hedge heard them, and she chirped, oh!
A Little Book of Profitable TalesEugene Field
"I expect to be as gay as a cricket," returned Mrs. Blair, innocently.
Meadow GrassAlice Brown
I knew ye hadn't got nobody except her, but I knew, too, ye were contented there as a cricket.
Meadow GrassAlice Brown
There was, however, no cricket for Stanley Carew that morning.
The Slave Of The LampHenry Seton Merriman
cricket1
- 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
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French criquet, from criquer to creak, of imitative origin
cricket2
- 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
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- to play cricket
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Word Origin
C16: from Old French criquet goalpost, wicket, of uncertain origin
cricket3
- a small low stool
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Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for cricket
n.1
the insect, early 14c., from Old French criquet (12c.) "a cricket," from criquer "to creak, rattle, crackle," of echoic origin.
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n.2
the game, 1590s, apparently from Old French criquet "goal post, stick," perhaps from Middle Dutch/Middle Flemish cricke "stick, staff," perhaps from the same root as crutch. Sense of "fair play" is first recorded 1851, on notion of "cricket as it should be played."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with cricket
cricket
see not cricket.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.