Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


A.Word.A.Day--ambsace

Pronunciation RealAudio

ambsace (AYM-zays) noun, also amesace

1. The double ace, the lowest throw of the dice with one spot showing uppermost on both dice.

2. The smallest amount of anything.

3. Bad luck.

[From Middle English ambes as, from Old French, from Latin ambas (both) + as (aces).]

"O noble, prudent folk in happier case!
Your dice-box doth not tumble out ambsace ..."
Geoffrey Chaucer; The Man of Law's Tale; The Canterbury Tales; 1380.

This week's theme: words with double connections.

X-Bonus

Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, dramatist, novelist, and philosopher (1749-1832)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith