| 释义 |
▪ I. backgammon|bækˈgæmən|
Also in 7 baggammon.
[Apparently = back-game, back-play (ME. gamen game, play, still in 15th c.), ‘because the pieces are (in certain circumstances) taken up and obliged to go back, that is re-enter at the table.’ Always called tables till the 17th c. Compare the prec. word; also the following early mention of tables along with dice, as a kueade gemen (Kentish for gamen), a wicked gamen or game:
1340Ayenb. 45 Kueade gemenes, ase byeþ þe gemenes of des, and of tables.
(The unsatisfactory point is the want of 16th c. quotations for gamen, which may however have survived dialectally. Cf. also the analogous after-game in ‘after-game at Irish,’ a game of similar nature. For other suggestions as to derivation, see Wedgwood, and Skeat.)]
1. A game played on a board consisting of two tables (usually united by a hinge), with draughtmen whose moves are determined by throws of the dice.
c1645Howell Lett. (1650) II. 105 Though you have learnt to play at Baggammon, you must not forget Irish, which is a more serious and solid game. 1676D'Urfey Mad. Fickle i. i, I won 300 guineys of him t'other night at Back-gammon. 1678Butler Hud. iii. ii. 1062 The Hang⁓man, Was like to lurch you at Back-Gammon. 1771Smollett Humph. Cl. (1815) 142 And play at billiards, cards, or back⁓gammon. 1814Scott in Lockhart Life (1839) IV. 355 In the evening Backgammon and cards are in great request.
2. spec. (See quot.)
1883Boys' Own Bk. 620 There are three kinds of victory—one the winning the hit, the second the winning the gammon, and the third winning a backgammon..If the winner has borne all his men off before the loser has carried all his men to his own table, it is a backgammon, and held equal to three hits or games.
3. attrib., as in backgammon board, backgammon table.
1789Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France II. 371 A backgammon table preserved behind the high altar. 1820Byron Juan v. x, Like a backgammon board the place was dotted With whites and blacks.
▪ II. backˈgammon, v.
[f. the n.; cf. quot. 1678 in 1.]
To defeat at backgammon, or by winning a backgammon.
1793Ann. Reg. 246 At length he by death is back gammoned. |