domino

¹

[ dom-uh-noh ]

noun

, plural dom·i·noes.

1. a flat, thumbsized, rectangular block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each either blank or bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 such pieces form a complete set.
2. dominoes, (used with a singular verb) any of various games played with such pieces, usually by matching the ends of pieces and laying the dominoes down in lines and angular patterns.

domino

²

[ dom-uh-noh ]

noun

, plural dom·i·noes, dom·i·nos.

1. a large, hooded cloak with a mask covering the eyes, worn at masquerades.
2. the mask.
3. a person wearing such dress.

Domino

³

[ dom-uh-noh ]

noun

1. Antoine Fats, 1928–2017, U.S. rhythm-and-blues pianist, singer, and composer.

domino

¹

/ ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ /

noun

1. a large hooded cloak worn with an eye mask at a masquerade
2. the eye mask worn with such a cloak

domino

²

/ ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ /

noun

1. a small rectangular block used in dominoes, divided on one side into two equal areas, each of which is either blank or marked with from one to six dots
2. modifier exhibiting the domino effect

   a domino pattern of takeovers

Domino

³

/ ˈdɒmɪnəʊ /

noun

1. DominoFats1928MUSMUSIC: pianistMUSIC: singerMUSIC: popular songwriter Fats. real name Antoine Domino born 1928, US rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll pianist, singer, and songwriter. His singles include "Ain't that a Shame" (1955) and "Blueberry Hill" (1956)

Word History and Origins

Origin of domino¹

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps special use of domino ²

Origin of domino²

First recorded in 1710–20; from Italian: “hood and mask costume,” from Medieval Latin or Middle French: “black hood worn by priests in winter”; obscurely akin to Latin dominus “lord, master”

Word History and Origins

Origin of domino¹

C18: from French or Italian, probably from Latin dominus lord, master

Origin of domino²

C19: from French, from Italian, perhaps from domino! master, said by the winner

Example Sentences

Now watch this feat of strength as we stitch these two storylines together …Weber’s departure from the 79th Assembly District will set off another round of political dominoes to replace her.

From Voice of San Diego

Barta cited the relative toothlessness of BYU’s schedule, a schedule Athletic Director Tom Holmoe patched together after the harsh dominoes of the late summer found the independent Cougars down to three scheduled games.

From Washington Post

Global pizza chain Domino’s, for example, just had its 38th consecutive quarter of sales growth.

From Quartz

It led to a bunch of weird dominoes falling in a weird order.

From Washington Post

It’s also working with a number of branded content partners like eToro, Domino’s Pizza and Utlilta.

From Digiday

The lack of food can also domino effect into peace and security—already there have been reports about stolen food aid.

From The Daily Beast

This first session set off a domino effect of unexpected proportions.

From The Daily Beast

The former Soviet Union is witnessing an anti-gay, anti-Western, anti-civil society domino effect.

From The Daily Beast

The CVS move will undoubtedly create a domino effect among other pharmacy chains.

From The Daily Beast

Depending on what Wildstein has, and on whom, he might set off a domino-effect of people flipping, and then who knows.

From The Daily Beast

He hands a lady out; her pale blue silk domino hides her effectually from the inquisitive gaze of the crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

"Saperlotte," he hissed, and his out-stretched hand touched the pale blue domino on the shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

At the domino mask they fetched I hesitated, for anything like mummery of this sort was always repugnant to me.

From Project Gutenberg

Of all the habits there he could only identify one—the scarlet and orange domino Lady Lyndwood had told him she would wear.

From Project Gutenberg

The orange and red domino left her partner and came straight to Marius Lyndwood.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• camouflage
• cloak
• veil