domino

¹

[dom-uh-noh]

noun

plural

dominoes 

1. a flat, thumbsized, rectangular block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each either blank or bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 such pieces form a complete set.

2. (used with a singular verb),  dominoes, any of various games played with such pieces, usually by matching the ends of pieces and laying the dominoes down in lines and angular patterns.

domino

²

[dom-uh-noh]

noun

plural

dominoes, dominos 

1. a large, hooded cloak with a mask covering the eyes, worn at masquerades.

2. the mask.

3. a person wearing such dress.

Domino

³

[dom-uh-noh]

noun

1. Antoine Fats, 1928–2017, U.S. rhythm-and-blues pianist, singer, and composer.

domino

¹

/ ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ /

noun

1. a small rectangular block used in dominoes, divided on one side into two equal areas, each of which is either blank or marked with from one to six dots

2. (modifier) exhibiting the domino effect

   a domino pattern of takeovers

domino

²

/ ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ /

noun

1. a large hooded cloak worn with an eye mask at a masquerade

2. the eye mask worn with such a cloak

Domino

³

/ ˈdɒmɪnəʊ /

noun

1. Fats. real name Antoine Domino born 1928, US rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll pianist, singer, and songwriter. His singles include "Ain't that a Shame" (1955) and "Blueberry Hill" (1956)

Word History and Origins

Origin of domino¹

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps special use of domino ²

Origin of domino²

First recorded in 1710–20; from Italian: “hood and mask costume,” from Medieval Latin or Middle French: “black hood worn by priests in winter”; obscurely akin to Latin dominus “lord, master”

Word History and Origins

Origin of domino¹

C19: from French, from Italian, perhaps from domino! master, said by the winner

Origin of domino²

C18: from French or Italian, probably from Latin dominus lord, master

Example Sentences

The rectangular stone was the size of a domino, set in a thick gold band with delicate swirling patterns engraved on each side.

Read more on Literature

According to the Soufan Center think tank, "if Mali falls, there could be a domino effect with other governments in the region, including in Burkina Faso and/or Niger", two other countries led by juntas.

Read more on Barron's

The next domino fell soon after: Soren wanted to quit football.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Dodgers lost, the last domino in a cascade triggered by a front office that miscast its humans as widgets in a search for even the tiniest of edges.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Understanding of tipping points has improved since the last report, its authors said, allowing for greater confidence in estimating when one might spark a domino effect of catastrophic and often irreversible disasters.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• camouflage 
• cloak 
• veil