backgammon
UK[ˌbækˈɡæm.ən]US[ˈbækˌɡæm.ən]
n
A board game for two players in which pieces are moved according to throws of dice.
Morpheme Breakdown
back
gammon
back
gammon
Etymology
The word 'backgammon' is a compound formed in the mid-17th century from 'back' and the older word 'gammon', which itself was a variant of 'game'. The name is traditionally thought to derive from the rule where a piece is hit and must go 'back' to the start, combined with 'gammon' meaning a game. The earlier name for the game in English was simply 'tables', from the Latin 'tabula' meaning board. The specific term 'backgammon' thus logically labels it as "the back-game," highlighting one of its distinctive and punitive mechanics compared to other table games.
Analysis
Structure: back + gammon
- back: From Middle English 'bak', from Old English 'bæc'. In this compound, it likely refers to the "back" or "return" move in the game.
- gammon: From Middle English 'gamen', from Old English 'gamen' (game, sport, amusement). The form 'gammon' evolved in this specific compound.
Examples
They spent the evening playing a quiet game of backgammon.
In backgammon, you must move all your pieces off the board before your opponent.
The old wooden backgammon set had been in the family for generations.