gammon
1[ gam-uh n ]
/ ˈgæm ən /
noun
the game of backgammon.
a victory in which the winner throws off all his or her pieces before the opponent throws off any.
verb (used with object)
to win a gammon over.
QUIZZES
CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"
"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
Origin of gammon
11720–30; perhaps special use of Middle English gamen game1
Words nearby gammon
gamma-ray burst, gammadion, gammagram, gammat, gammer, gammon, gammopathy, gammy, gamna's disease, gamna-gandy bodies, gamo-
Definition for gammon (2 of 3)
gammon2
[ gam-uh n ]
/ ˈgæm ən /
noun
a smoked or cured ham.
the lower end of a side of bacon.
Origin of gammon
2Definition for gammon (3 of 3)
gammon3
[ gam-uh n ]
/ ˈgæm ən /
noun
deceitful nonsense; bosh.
verb (used without object)
to talk gammon.
to make pretense.
verb (used with object)
to humbug.
Origin of gammon
3First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps special use of gammon1
OTHER WORDS FROM gammon
gam·mon·er, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for gammon
British Dictionary definitions for gammon (1 of 4)
gammon1
/ (ˈɡæmən) /
noun
a cured or smoked ham
the hindquarter of a side of bacon, cooked either whole or cut into large rashers
Word Origin for gammon
C15: from Old Northern French gambon, from gambe leg; see gambrel
British Dictionary definitions for gammon (2 of 4)
gammon2
/ (ˈɡæmən) /
noun
a double victory in backgammon in which one player throws off all his pieces before his opponent throws any
archaic the game of backgammon
verb
(tr) to score a gammon over
Word Origin for gammon
C18: probably special use of Middle English gamen game 1
British Dictionary definitions for gammon (3 of 4)
gammon3
/ (ˈɡæmən) British informal /
noun
deceitful nonsense; humbug
verb
to deceive (a person)
Derived forms of gammon
gammoner, nounWord Origin for gammon
C18: perhaps special use of gammon ²
British Dictionary definitions for gammon (4 of 4)
gammon4
/ (ˈɡæmən) /
verb
(tr) nautical to fix (a bowsprit) to the stemhead of a vessel
Word Origin for gammon
C18: perhaps related to gammon 1, with reference to the tying up of a ham
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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