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

It felt like one domino kept bumping into the next.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our dad introduced us to the pole vault. We just fell in love with it - a kind of domino effect.”

From BBC

According to the “domino theory,” countries around the world would fall to communism one-by-one — unless America stopped its spread.

From Salon

Uncertainty around Najee Harris’ return still looms, creating a domino effect in the running back room.

From Los Angeles Times

Now teams, agents and the remaining 30 second-round picks are left waiting for the next domino to fall.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• camouflage 
• cloak 
• veil