wicket

 
Pronunciation: /ˈwɪkɪt/

noun

  • 1 Cricket each of the sets of three stumps with two bails across the top at either end of the pitch, defended by a batsman.
  • the prepared strip of ground between these two sets of stumps: when they inspected the wicket, they found it being rolled by some prisoners
  • the dismissal of a batsman; each of ten dismissals regarded as marking a division of a side’s innings: Darlington won by four wickets
  • 2 (also wicket door or wicket gate) a small door or gate, especially one beside or in a larger one.
  • North American an opening in a door or wall, often fitted with glass or a grille and used for selling tickets or a similar purpose.
  • 3North American a croquet hoop.

Phrases

at the wicket

Cricket
  • 1batting: the batsman remained at the wicket
  • 2by the wicketkeeper: he was caught at the wicket chasing a wide one

keep wicket

Cricket be a wicketkeeper.

lose a wicket

Cricket (of the batting side) have a batsman dismissed: the tourists lost their last seven wickets for 94

a sticky wicket

Cricket a pitch that has been drying after rain and is difficult to bat on.
informal a tricky or awkward situation: I might be on a sticky wicket if I used that line

over the wicket

Cricket (referring to which side of the wicket a bowler runs when bowling) to the left of the wicket if a right-handed bowler and the right of the wicket if a left-handed bowler.

round the wicket

Cricket (referring to which side of the wicket a bowler runs when bowling) to the right of the wicket if a right-handed bowler and the left of the wicket if a left-handed bowler.

take a wicket

Cricket (of a bowler or a fielding side) dismiss a batsman.

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'small door or grille'): from Anglo-Norman French and Old Northern French wiket; origin uncertain, usually referred to the Germanic root of Old Norse vīkja 'to turn, move'. Cricket senses date from the late 17th century