crossruff

American  

[kraws-ruhf, -ruhf, kros-, kraws-ruhf, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌrʌf, -ˈrʌf, ˈkrɒs-, ˈkrɔsˈrʌf, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

1. a play in which each hand of a partnership alternately trumps a different suit in consecutive plays.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to play by means of a crossruff.

crossruff British  

/ ˈkrɒsˌrʌf /

noun

1. the alternate trumping of each other's leads by two partners, or by declarer and dummy

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verb

1. (intr) to trump alternately in two hands of a partnership

Etymology

Origin of crossruff

First recorded in 1585–95; cross- + ruff ²

Example Sentences

Finally, Stansby conceded a spade and claimed the last three tricks on a crossruff to make her slam.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2015

This walked into a defensive crossruff to go down one.

From New York Times • Mar. 19, 2014

The normal line of play would have been to cash the three top red suit tricks, then to crossruff clubs and hearts.

From New York Times • Jul. 12, 2013

Yes, Zia would have been all right with diamonds 3-2 or West’s having king-doubleton of spades, but Grue realized that a crossruff would work almost whatever the distribution.

From New York Times • May 15, 2011

Spring ferment set up a crossruff resulting in terror, self-mortification, pneumonia.

From Time Magazine Archive