cricket

¹

[krik-it]

noun

1. 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.

2. a small metal toy with a flat metal spring that snaps back and forth with a clicking, cricketlike noise when pressed.

cricket

²

[krik-it]

noun

1. 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.

2. fair play; honorable conduct.

   It wouldn't be cricket to look at his cards.

verb (used without object)

1. to play cricket.

cricket

³

[krik-it]

noun

1. a small, low stool.

cricket

⁴

[krik-it]

noun

1. (on a sloping roof) a small roof for diverting rainwater around an obstruction, as a chimney.

cricket

¹

/ ˈkrɪkɪt /

noun

1. 1. 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

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cricket bat

2. informal,  not fair play

verb

1. to play cricket

cricket

²

/ ˈkrɪkɪt /

noun

1. 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

2. any of various related insects, such as the mole cricket

cricket

³

/ ˈkrɪkɪt /

noun

1. a small low stool

Other Word Forms

• cricketlike adjective
• cricketer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cricket¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English criket, creket, from Old French criquet, equivalent to criqu(er) “to creak” (imitative) + -et noun suffix; -et

Origin of cricket²

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French criquet “goalpost”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle Dutch krick(e) “arm, crosspiece, stick, staff, gallows”

Origin of cricket³

First recorded in 1635–45; of obscure origin; compare cracket, with same sense

Origin of cricket⁴

Of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of cricket¹

C16: from Old French criquet goalpost, wicket, of uncertain origin

Origin of cricket²

C14: from Old French criquet, from criquer to creak, of imitative origin

Origin of cricket³

C17: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see not cricket.

Example Sentences

"As long as you're hitting the ball well and playing good cricket, it's about physically fit, mentally ready and excited."

Read more on Barron's

By fielding a five-man pace attack at Perth Stadium, England recorded their fastest collective day of bowling in Test cricket on the opening day of the series.

Read more on BBC

The upturn in results and breathtaking style of cricket rebuilt a connection with supporters, a connection that has been tested in the past week.

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What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia.

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Head, who usually comes in at five but opens in white-ball cricket, seized the opportunity with all guns blazing, slamming an incredible 123 from just 83 balls to drive Australia to victory.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• decent 
• fair 
• honest 
• proper 
• reasonable 
• stable 
• unbiased