spadille

American  

[spuh-dil] / spəˈdɪl /

noun

1. the highest trump in certain card games, as the queen of clubs in omber.

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spadille British  

/ spəˈdɪl /

noun

1. cards (in ombre and quadrille) the ace of spades

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Etymology

Origin of spadille

1720–30; < French < Spanish espadilla, equivalent to espad ( a ) broadsword, spade in cards (< Latin spatha; see spade ²) + -illa diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

In two hours Sir Asinus was sitting at spadille in the exceedingly undress costume of shirt, pantaloons, and silk stockings.

From The Youth of Jefferson A Chronicle of College Scrapes at Williamsburg, in Virginia, A.D. 1764 by Anonymous

A National Assembly is spadille, but there is still a basta, a second trump which we wish to play out in East Prussia.

From Withered Leaves. Vol. I. (of III) A Novel by Gottschall, Rudolf von

I heard high-pitched voices, and "spadille," "basto," "matador"—all the queer words of quadrille, their favoured game.

From Hugh Wynne, Free Quaker by Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir)

If, brisk and gay, Thou sitt'st to play At ombre or at chess, May ne'er spadille Attend thy will, Nor luck thy movements bless.

From Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote by Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

My dear friend," said his Excellency, "ever since a blackguard in Paris defeated me in a fair spadille combat—breast to breast, card to card, by pure genius—I have been a republican.

From The Youth of Jefferson A Chronicle of College Scrapes at Williamsburg, in Virginia, A.D. 1764 by Anonymous