jai alai

[hahy lahy, hahy uh-lahy, hahy uh-lahy]

noun

1. a game resembling handball, played on a three-walled court between two, four, or six players who are equipped with a long, curved wicker basket, or cesta, strapped to the wrist for catching and throwing a small, hard ball against the front wall.

jai alai

/ ˌhaɪ əˈlaɪ, ˈhaɪ əˌlaɪ, ˈhaɪ ˈlaɪ /

noun

1. a version of pelota played by two or four players

Word History and Origins

Origin of jai alai¹

1905–10; < Spanish < Basque, equivalent to jai game + alai merry

Word History and Origins

Origin of jai alai¹

via Spanish from Basque, from jai game, festival + alai merry