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martingale
[ mahr-tn-geyl ]
/ ˈmɑr tnˌgeɪl /
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noun
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.
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.
Nautical. a stay for a jib boom or spike bowsprit.
a system of gambling in which the stakes are doubled or otherwise raised after each loss.
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Origin of martingale
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
Words nearby martingale
Martineau, Martinelli, martinet, Martinez, Martínez Ruiz, martingale, martini, Martinican, Martini-Henry, Martinique, Martin IV
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use martingale in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for martingale
martingale
/ (ˈmɑːtɪnˌɡeɪl) /
noun
a strap from the reins to the girth of a horse preventing it from carrying its head too high
any gambling system in which the stakes are raised, usually doubled, after each loss
Also called: martingale boom nautical
- a chain or cable running from a jib boom to the dolphin striker, serving to counteract strain
- another term for dolphin striker
Word Origin for martingale
C16: from French, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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