Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Backgammon?

\Back"gam`mon\, n. [Origin unknown; perhaps fr. Dan. bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from E. back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are often set back.] A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a ``board'' marked off into twenty-four spaces called ``points''. Each player has fifteen pieces, or ``men'', the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called tables. {Backgammon board}, a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two ``tables''.
\Back"gam`mon\, v. i. In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first ``table''.