wicket
wicket
UK[ˈwɪkɪt]US[ˈwɪkɪt]
n
A set of three vertical stumps with two small horizontal pieces (bails) balanced on top, used in the game of cricket.
n
A small door or gate, especially one beside or within a larger one.
n
A small window or opening, especially one with a grille or shutter, as in a ticket office.
Etymology
The word 'wicket' entered English in the 13th century from the Anglo-Norman French 'wiket,' meaning a small door or opening. This French term is believed to derive from a Germanic source, possibly related to Old Norse 'vík' (an inlet or creek), which metaphorically extended to signify a narrow opening or a turn. The sporting sense, first recorded in the 18th century, applies this concept of an opening or a target to the set of stumps in cricket, which the bowler aims to hit. Thus, the word's journey reflects a shift from a physical, architectural opening to a specialized target within a sporting framework.
Analysis
The word 'wicket' is a simplex loanword from Anglo-Norman French. Its ultimate origin is from a Germanic root, likely related to Old Norse 'vík' (a bay or creek) via the concept of a turning or opening.
Examples
The bowler's delivery shattered the wicket, sending the bails flying.
He entered the garden through the old wooden wicket in the fence.
I purchased my train ticket through the wicket at the station.