croquet

[ kroh-key; British kroh-key, -kee ]

noun

1. a game played by knocking wooden balls through metal wickets with mallets.
2. (in croquet) the act of driving away an opponent's ball by striking one's own when the two are in contact.

verb (used with object)

, cro·queted [kroh-, keyd, kroh, -keyd, -keed], cro·quet·ing [kroh-, key, -ing, kroh, -key-ing, -kee-ing].

1. to drive away (a ball) by a croquet.

croquet

/ ˈkrəʊkeɪ; -kɪ /

noun

1. a game for two to four players who hit a wooden ball through iron hoops with mallets in order to hit a peg
2. the act of croqueting

verb

1. to drive away (another player's ball) by hitting one's own ball when the two are in contact

Word History and Origins

Origin of croquet¹

1855–60; < French (dial.): hockey stick, literally, little hook; crocket

Word History and Origins

Origin of croquet¹

C19: perhaps from French dialect, variant of crochet (little hook)

Example Sentences

Female athletes made their debut at the modern Olympics in 1900 but were limited to a few sports deemed suitably ladylike, such as golf and croquet.

From Los Angeles Times

So I set off all on my lonesome, across the croquet lawn.

From Literature

Then they played a jolly game of croquet, laughing without much reason, and they continued laughing as they relaxed on a carpet of moss.

From Literature

The house is surrounded by 25 acres of grounds featuring cottages, a large greenhouse, walled garden, follies, a fountain and a croquet lawn.

From BBC

And it’s hard to play a cutthroat game of croquet in your flower beds.

From Seattle Times