pak-a-pu

noun

¦päkə¦pü
plural -s
: a Chinese lottery typically played with sheets of paper carrying columns of characters of which one group is a winning set that entitles the player choosing it to the stakes offered

Word History

Etymology

Chinese pai2 ko1 p'iao4 white pigeon ticket, from pai2 white + ko1 pigeon + p'iao4 ticket

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near pak-a-pu

Cite this Entry

“Pak-a-pu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pak-a-pu. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!