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Gamble
Definitions
- 1 A surname from Old Norse.
- 1 A bet or wager.
"I had a gamble on the horses last weekend."
- 2 a risky act or venture wordnet
- 3 A significant risk, undertaken with a potential gain.
- 4 money that is risked for possible monetary gain wordnet
- 5 A risky venture.
"The sailors had taken many gambles with the sea and always won."
- 1 To take a risk, with the potential of a positive outcome.
- 2 play games for money wordnet
- 3 To play risky games, especially casino games, for monetary gain.
"Mark won half a million dollars gambling on horses."
- 4 take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome wordnet
- 5 To risk (something) for potential gain. transitive
"He gambled his reputation on the outcome."
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- 6 To interact with equipment at a casino.
Etymology
From earlier gamel, from Middle English *gamlen, *gamelen, variant of Middle English gamenen, from Old English gæmnian, gamnian, gamenian (“to joke; play”), related to Old English gamen (“joy; mirth; pleasure; entertainment; pastime; sport; game”), equivalent to game + -le. Compare Old Danish gammel, Middle High German gamel (“pleasure; fun”). More at game.
From earlier gamel, from Middle English *gamlen, *gamelen, variant of Middle English gamenen, from Old English gæmnian, gamnian, gamenian (“to joke; play”), related to Old English gamen (“joy; mirth; pleasure; entertainment; pastime; sport; game”), equivalent to game + -le. Compare Old Danish gammel, Middle High German gamel (“pleasure; fun”). More at game.
From the Old Norse byname gamall (“old”), which was occasionally used in North England during the Middle Ages as a personal name.
See also for "gamble"
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