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gambit

The definition of a gambit is an opening strategy meant to bring on a specific result, particularly a move in chess where a player risks one minor piece for a better position.

(noun)

An example of a gambit is an opening move in chess of giving up a pawn to open up a king for further movement.

See gambit in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Chess an opening in which a pawn or other piece is sacrificed to get an advantage in position
an opening maneuver, action, or remark intended to gain an advantage or to offer an opinion

Origin: Fr < OFr gambet < Sp gambito, a tripping < It gamba, a leg < ML gamba: see gamb

See gambit in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An opening in chess in which a minor piece, or pieces, usually a pawn, is offered in exchange for a favorable position.
A maneuver, stratagem, or ploy, especially one used at an initial stage.
A remark intended to open a conversation.

Origin:

Origin: Ultimately from Spanish gambito

Origin: , from Italian gambetto, act of tripping someone up in wrestling

Origin: , from gamba, leg

Origin: , from Old Italian; see gambol

Usage Note: Critics familiar with the nature of chess gambits have sometimes maintained that the word should not be used in an extended sense except to refer to maneuvers that involve a tactical sacrifice or loss for some advantage. But gambit is well established in the general sense of “maneuver” and in the related sense of “a remark intended to open a conversation,” which usually carries no implication of sacrifice.

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