dedans

American  

[duh-dahn] / dəˈdɑ̃ /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

plural

dedans

1. a netted winning opening of rectangular shape at the service side of the court.

2. the body of spectators behind this opening at a court-tennis match.

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dedans British  

/ dədɑ̃ /

noun

1. real tennis the open gallery at the server's end of the court

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Etymology

Origin of dedans

1700–10; < French: (the) inside, Middle French (adv. and preposition), Old French dedenz, equivalent to de of (< Latin dē ) + denz in (< Late Latin deintus, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + intus inside (adv.))

Example Sentences

Instead, perhaps the Association should have questioned the probability of him hitting the dedans at that very moment, which was quite unlikely and might have raised concerns that someone had manipulated its movement intentionally.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2018

Any ball that hits the dedans instantly ends not just the point, but the entire match.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2018

A single dynamic target, which the player serving the ball has to defend at all times, is called the dedans.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2018

Soutar, running around, breathing hard, scored his points to the dedans and grille, made his best fight in the seventh game, then lost three games in succession, the match, and the title.

From Time Magazine Archive

Et bien, avant le wicket se place l'homme qui est dedans et qui tient dans ces mains le "bat" avec lequel il frappe la balle et fait des courses.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, August 23, 1890 by Various