croquet

[kroh-key, kroh-key, -kee]

noun

1. a game played by knocking wooden balls through metal wickets with mallets.

2. (in croquet) the act of driving away an opponent's ball by striking one's own when the two are in contact.

verb (used with object)

croqueted, croqueting 

1. to drive away (a ball) by a croquet.

croquet

/ ˈkrəʊkeɪ, -kɪ /

noun

1. a game for two to four players who hit a wooden ball through iron hoops with mallets in order to hit a peg

2. the act of croqueting

verb

1. to drive away (another player's ball) by hitting one's own ball when the two are in contact

Word History and Origins

Origin of croquet¹

1855–60; < French (dial.): hockey stick, literally, little hook; crocket

Word History and Origins

Origin of croquet¹

C19: perhaps from French dialect, variant of _crochet (little hook)

Example Sentences

He plays croquet, not well, and sings sea chanteys.

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“Just got a letter from her. She’s on a ’round-the-world tour with her friends from the croquet club.

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He was also photographed playing croquet with his staff on the lawn at Dorneywood, the official country home that came with the job of deputy prime minister.

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But, in a further embarrassment, he felt compelled to give up his country pile, Dorneywood, after being pictured on its lawns playing croquet with his staff - an image at odds with his down-to-earth reputation.

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Female athletes made their debut at the modern Olympics in 1900 but were limited to a few sports deemed suitably ladylike, such as golf and croquet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times