bricole

[ bri-kohl, brik-uhl ]

noun

1. Billiards. a shot in which the cue ball strikes a cushion after touching the object ball and before hitting the carom ball.
2. an indirect action or unexpected stroke.

bricole

/ brɪˈkəʊl; ˈbrɪkəl /

noun

1. billiards a shot in which the cue ball touches a cushion after striking the object ball and before touching another ball
2. (in ancient and medieval times) a military catapult for throwing stones, etc
3. (esp formerly) a harness worn by soldiers for dragging guns or carrying stretchers
4. an indirect or unexpected action

Word History and Origins

Origin of bricole¹

1515–25; earlier, rebound off a court wall (in tennis), catapult < Middle French < Italian briccola, probably, with suffix substitution, < Langobardic *brihhil- that which breaks; compare Middle High German brechel-, derivative of brechen to break

Word History and Origins

Origin of bricole¹

C16: from Old French: catapult, from Medieval Latin bricola , of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The silent Giaco deftly steered the boat past the bricole—the wooden posts that poked out of the water everywhere.

From Literature