intransitive. To make a carambole or cannon at billiards.

Billiards. intransitive. See quot. 1896.

intransitive and transitive. Billiards, Snooker, etc. To strike (the cue ball) so that it hits more than one ball in turn; to hit (another ball) as…

to make a baulk: to bring one's own and the red ball within the baulk, when the opponent's ball is in hand.

intransitive. Billiards. In the game of pool (pool, n.3 2(a)): to buy an additional life or lives, by paying into the pool the same sum as one's…

transitive. Sport. To move (the ball) by pushing rather than hitting; to play a push shot or push stroke. Also occasionally intransitive.

intransitive. Billiards and Snooker. to play for safety (now usually to play safe): to make a shot that leaves the balls in such a position that…

intransitive. Billiards, Snooker, and Pool. To cause the ball to roll in a specified direction. Frequently with through. See also to run through…

intransitive. To strike or glance and rebound. In quots. transferred and figurative. Chiefly U.S.

to knock the balls about: to strike a (billiard, croquet, etc.) ball idly; to play (such a ball game) in a casual fashion.

intransitive. Billiards, Snooker, and Pool. To make a miscue.

(see quots.); also figurative (chiefly passive), to place in an impossible position; to balk, ‘stymie’.

To open, commence, begin. In certain obsolete phrases, as to break parle, break trade. Also at Billiards: to break the balls: to make a stroke from…

To open, commence, begin. In certain obsolete phrases, as to break parle, break trade. Also at Billiards: to break the balls: to make a stroke from…

U.S. In billiards and related games: (a) intransitive to make a stroke that incurs a penalty; spec. to hit the cue ball into a pocket; (b) transitive…

U.S. Billiards. to call one's shot, to announce which ball one intends to shoot into which pocket; also figurative. (Cf. 7i.)