martingal

Variant of martingale

martingale definition

mar·tin·gale (märt′'n gāl′)

noun

  1. the strap of a horse's harness passing from the noseband to the girth between the forelegs, to keep the horse from rearing or throwing back its head
    1. a lower stay for the jib boom or flying jib boom of a sailing vessel, to bear the strain of the head stays
    2. dolphin striker
  3. a system of betting in which, after a losing wager, the amount bet is doubled or otherwise increased

Etymology: Fr, prob. < Sp almártaga, a check, rein < Ar

Also martingal mar′·tin·gal′ (-gal′)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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