martingale

[ mahr-tn-geyl ]

noun

1. Also called standing martingale. part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting of a strap that fastens to the girth, passes between the forelegs and through a loop in the neckstrap or hame, and fastens to the noseband: used to steady or hold down the horse's head.
2. Also called running martingale. a similar device that divides at the chest into two branches, each ending in a ring through which the reins pass.
3. Nautical. a stay for a jib boom or spike bowsprit.
4. a system of gambling in which the stakes are doubled or otherwise raised after each loss.

martingale

/ ˈmɑːtɪnˌɡeɪl /

noun

1. a strap from the reins to the girth of a horse preventing it from carrying its head too high
2. any gambling system in which the stakes are raised, usually doubled, after each loss
3. Also calledmartingale boom nautical
   1. a chain or cable running from a jib boom to the dolphin striker, serving to counteract strain
   2. another term for dolphin striker

Word History and Origins

Origin of martingale¹

1580–90; < Middle French: kind of hose fastened at the back, allegedly < Provençal martegalo, feminine of martegal, inhabitant of Martigue, town in SE France, though sense apparently influenced by Spanish almártaga harness < Arabic al-martaʿah the vein

Word History and Origins

Origin of martingale¹

C16: from French, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

This strategy is similar to the Martingale, but players don’t double the bet amount.

From Washington Blade

"Spikes your excellent father left sticking out of his martingale," he said, a sort of boyish resentment in his tones.

From Project Gutenberg

It comes with the onset of a "bergy-bit" which smashes the martingale as it plunges into a deep trough.

From Project Gutenberg

Martingale: A short spar under the bowsprit, used to give more spread to the stays that set the bowsprit or jib-boom down.

From Project Gutenberg

That devil of a chevalier has found an infallible martingale, he says; but it requires funds to start it.

From Project Gutenberg

She'd swung herself up into the martingale, an' there she'd squatted all the afternoon until we was out o' sight o' land.

From Project Gutenberg