ace
UK[eɪs]US[eɪs]
n
a playing card with a single spot on it, typically the highest card in its suit
n
a person who is very skilled at a particular activity
n
(in tennis and similar games) a serve that an opponent cannot touch and that wins a point
adj
very good or skilled
v
to achieve a high score or grade on a test or in a course
v
(in tennis and similar games) to serve an ace against an opponent
Etymology
the word 'ace' entered english from the old french 'as', which itself came from the latin 'as', signifying a unit, a whole, or a single coin. in ancient roman coinage and weights, 'as' represented the basic unit. this sense of singularity and primacy was transferred to the playing card bearing a single pip, which was often the lowest card in early games but evolved to become the highest. the modern meanings of excellence and a winning serve in tennis are metaphorical extensions of this idea of being the single, top-ranking unit.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it is derived from the latin word 'as', meaning 'a unit' or 'one', via old french.
Examples
he drew an ace from the deck and won the hand.
she is an ace at solving complex mathematical problems.
the tennis player won the match with a powerful ace on her final serve.