ninepin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   one of the nine wooden pins set up as targets in the game of ninepins; a skittle

   The ball struck the last ninepin and sent it spinning across the alley.

A compound of nine + pin, referring to each of the nine upright wooden targets used in the traditional bowling game of ninepins. The comparison 'knocked down like a ninepin' follows from how easily a struck pin topples.

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