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Roulette

//ɹuːˈlɛt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A game of chance in which a small ball is made to move round rapidly on a circle divided off into numbered (usually red and black) spaces. When the ball stops, it indicates the result of a variety of wagers permitted by the game. uncountable
  2. 2
    a gambling game in which players bet on which compartment of a revolving wheel a small ball will come to rest in wordnet
  3. 3
    An instance of risk-taking, especially when the downside exceeds the upside (contrary to the game of roulette where only the wager is lost). figuratively, uncountable

    "Doctors and health officials said that the WRC-TV documentary, "DPT: Vaccine Roulette," emphasized the risks of the vaccine while ignoring the dangers of the disease, which has been almost wiped out in this country."

  4. 4
    a wheel with teeth for making a row of perforations wordnet
  5. 5
    A small toothed wheel used by engravers to roll over a plate in order to produce rows of dots. countable
Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    a line generated by a point on one figure rolling around a second figure wordnet
  2. 7
    A similar wheel used to roughen the surface of a plate, as in making alterations in a mezzotint. countable
  3. 8
    The locus of a point on a plane curve that rolls without slipping along another fixed plane curve. countable
  4. 9
    Any of the small incisions on a sheet of stamps, used as an alternative to perforations. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A cylindrical curler for the hair. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To separate or decorate by incisions made with a small toothed wheel.

    "to roulette a sheet of postage stamps"

Etymology

Etymology 1

Borrowed from French roulette (“roulette, little wheel”). The sense "situation with a random chance of incurring serious harm" may be abstracted from Russian roulette.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French roulette (“roulette, little wheel”). The sense "situation with a random chance of incurring serious harm" may be abstracted from Russian roulette.

See also for "roulette"

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