five-spot

[ fahyv-spot ]

noun

1. a playing card or the upward face of a die bearing five pips; a domino one half of which bears five pips.
2. Slang. a five-dollar bill.
3. a low plant, Nemophila maculata, of the waterleaf family, native to western and central California, having white flowers with a purple spot at the tip of each of its five petals.

five-spot

noun

1. (in the US) a five-dollar bill

Word History and Origins

Origin of five-spot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

Kentucky’s five-spot rise marked the biggest jump of the week.

From Washington Times

Thai Chef is a riot of color, with the power of a five-spot, discovered in a coat pocket, to slap a smile on your face just by walking in.

From Washington Post

Auburn: Fresh from a five-spot jump in the rankings, the Tigers won in an arena where they had struggled, losing 10 of their previous 12.

From Seattle Times

The Dodgers, who lost four of their previous five games, took out a week’s worth of frustration on Arizona left-hander Caleb Smith, putting up a five-spot in the first and four more in the second.

From Los Angeles Times

Louisville made a five-spot leap in Collegiate Baseball’s poll, rising to No. 8 after winning the final two games against Duke on top of a midweek, 7-2 victory over No. 2 Vanderbilt.

From Seattle Times