cigar

 
Pronunciation: /sɪˈgɑː/

noun

  • a cylinder of tobacco rolled in tobacco leaves for smoking.

Phrases

close but no cigar

North American informal (of an attempt) almost but not quite successful: they didn’t catch him in the car—close but no cigar
[referring to a cigar received in congratulation]

Origin:

early 18th century: from French cigare, or from Spanish cigarro, probably from Mayan sik'ar 'smoking'