Main Entry:

¹ace

Pronunciation:

\ˈās\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English as, from Anglo-French, from Latin, unit, a copper coin

Date:

14th century

1 a: a die face marked with one spot b: a playing card marked in its center with one pip c: a domino end marked with one spot2: a very small amount or degree : particle3: a point scored especially on a service (as in tennis or handball) that an opponent fails to touch4: a golf score of one stroke on a hole ; also : a hole made in one stroke5: a combat pilot who has brought down at least five enemy airplanes6 a: a person who excels at something <a computer ace> b: the best pitcher on a baseball team <the ace of the staff>

— ace in the hole

1: an ace dealt face down to a player (as in stud poker) and not exposed until the showdown2: an effective and decisive argument or resource held in reserve

— within an ace of

: on the point of : very near to <came within an ace of winning>