gambit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A clever plan or action used to gain an advantage, often involving some risk.

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

2. 2
   noun

   An opening in chess in which a player gives up a piece to gain a better position.

   Her clever gambit sacrificed a pawn but gave her control of the centre.

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.

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