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

Example Sentences

Sometimes a little jai alai in the living room with ripe guavas for balls and live pelicans for baskets.

From The Daily Beast

Little boys are most interested in games with balls, like jai alai or football.

From Project Gutenberg