skittle

noun

skit·​tle ˈski-tᵊl 

1

skittles plural in form but singular in construction : English ninepins played with a wooden disk or ball

2

: one of the pins used in skittles

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The roots of the term go back to a venerable European lawn game known as skittles. —Ben Zimmer, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2018

Games for adults include a barrel race, Wellington throw, skittles, three- legged race and more. —Staff Report, Daily Southtown, 6 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skutill harpoon, bolt, Danish skyttel shuttle — more at shuttle

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1