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gammon
1[ gam-uhn ]
/ ˈgæm ən /
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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.
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SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?
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Question 1 of 6
Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?
Origin of gammon
1First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of Middle English gamengame1
Words nearby gammon
gamma-ray burst, gamma rays, gamma stock, gammat, gammer, gammon, gammopathy, gammy, Gamna-Gandy bodies, Gamna's disease, gamo-
Other definitions for gammon (2 of 3)
gammon2
[ gam-uhn ]
/ ˈgæm ən /
noun
a smoked or cured ham.
the lower end of a side of bacon.
Origin of gammon
2First recorded in 1480–90; from Old French gambon “ham” (French jambon ), derivative of gambe; see jamb1
Other definitions for gammon (3 of 3)
gammon3
[ gam-uhn ]
/ 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. 2022
How to use gammon in a sentence
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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