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

“Et cela doit signifier,” said she, “qu’il y aura là dedans un cadeau pour moi, et peut-être pour vous aussi, mademoiselle. Monsieur a parlé de vous: il m’a demandé le nom de ma gouvernante, et si elle n’était pas une petite personne, assez mince et un peu pâle. J’ai dit qu’oui: car c’est vrai, n’est-ce pas, mademoiselle?”

From Literature

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

From Slate

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

From Slate

Hitting the dedans is as rare as shooting a hole-in-one in golf, and worth considerably more money to the victor.

From Slate

The ball rocketed through the air toward Basto’s side of the court, right into the glowing dedans!

From Slate