gambit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An opening in chess in which material is sacrificed to gain an advantage.

   Her clever gambit gave her an advantage.

2. 2
   noun

   Any ploy or stratagem.

   Their promise to lower taxes is clearly an election-year gambit.

3. 3
   noun

   a chess move early in the game in which the player sacrifices minor pieces in order to obtain an advantageous position

4. 4
   noun

   a maneuver in a game or conversation

5. 5
   noun

   an opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker

6. 6
   noun

   A remark intended to open a conversation.

7. 7
   verb

   To sacrifice (a pawn or minor piece) to gain an advantage.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kh₂em- Proto-Indo-European *kh₂emp- Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *kh₂empeh₂ Proto-Hellenic *kampā́ Ancient Greek καμπή (kampḗ)bor. Late Latin gamba Italian gamba Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tosder.? Late Latin -ittus Italian -etto Italian gambettobor. English gambit Borrowed from Italian gambetto (“act of tripping; gambit”), from gamba (“leg”) + -etto (diminutive suffix). First attested in 1656.