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martingale

Syllabification: (mar·tin·gale)

Definition of martingale

noun

1a strap, or set of straps, attached at one end to the noseband ( standing martingale) or reins ( running martingale) of a horse and at the other end to the girth. It is used to prevent the horse from raising its head too high.

2a gambling system of continually doubling the stakes in the hope of an eventual win that must yield a net profit.

Origin:

late 16th century: from French, from Spanish almártaga, from Arabic al-marta῾a 'the fastening', influenced by martingale, from Occitan martegal 'inhabitant of Martigues (in Provence)'

martingale in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of martingale in the British & World English dictionary

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