Adjacent Words

Backgammon definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

BACKGAM'MON, n. A game played by two persons, upon a table, with box and dice. The table is in two parts, on which are 24 black and white spaces, called points. Each player has 15 men of different colors for the purpose of distinction.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: perhaps from ³back + Middle English gamen, game game Date: circa 1645 a board game played with dice and counters in which players try to be the first to gather their pieces into one corner and then systematically remove them from the board

Britannica Concise

Board game played with two dice and counter-pieces (called stones) in which the two players try to be the first to gather their pieces into one corner (home) and then systematically remove them from the board. The board has four sections (called tables), each marked with six narrow wedges (points) in two alternating colors. Fifteen white and fifteen black stones represent the two opposing sides. Stones are moved from point to point in opposite directions according to the number of points shown on the dice. Most commonly played in the E Mediterranean, it is one of the most ancient games, dating from 3000 BC.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a game for two played on a board with pieces moved according to throws of the dice. 2 the most complete form of win in this. Etymology: BACK + GAMMON(2)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Backgammon Back"gam`mon, n. [Origin unknown; perhaps fr. Dan. bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from E. back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are often set back.] A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a ``board'' marked off into twenty-four spaces called ``points''. Each player has fifteen pieces, or ``men'', the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called tables. Backgammon board, a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two ``tables''.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Backgammon Back"gam`mon, v. i. In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first ``table''.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Backgammon is a game for two people, played on a board marked with long triangles. Each player has 15 wooden or plastic discs. The players throw dice and move the discs around the board.