domino

Meanings

Noun

• A tile divided into two squares, each having 0 to 6 (or sometimes more) dots or pips (as in dice), used in the game of dominoes.
• A country that is expected to react to events in a neighboring country, according to the domino effect.
• A masquerade costume consisting of a hooded robe and a mask covering the upper part of the face.
• The mask itself.
• The person wearing the costume.
• A polyomino made up of two squares.
• A mistake in performing.

Verb

• To collapse in the manner of dominoes.
• To cause to collapse in the manner of dominoes.

Origin

• Borrowed from French domino (1801), from Medieval Latin domino, from Latin dominus ("lord, master"); compare Medieval Latin dominicale ("a kind of veil"). The game is said to be so called from the black under surface or part of the pieces with which it is played.