spanish dice

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A gambling game in which players roll dice and win by throwing a set of numbers agreed in advance.

   Grammar: Used as a singular name for the game: Spanish dice is played with five dice.

   Patterns

   • play Spanish dice
   • a game of Spanish dice

   On wet afternoons the sailors played Spanish dice for small coins.

   Spanish dice is easy to learn because the winning throws are written on the board.

   They set up a table of Spanish dice at the village fair.

2. 2phraseplural

   A set of dice marked or used in the traditional Spanish style, especially five dice thrown together.

   Grammar: Refers to the objects themselves, so it takes a plural verb: The Spanish dice are in the box.

   Patterns

   • a set of Spanish dice
   • roll the Spanish dice

   He shook the Spanish dice in a leather cup before letting them fall.

   The Spanish dice were worn smooth from years of use.

   She bought a set of Spanish dice at the antiques market.

Common combinations

play Spanish dice

The old men play Spanish dice outside the cafe every Sunday.

a game of Spanish dice

A game of Spanish dice can last all evening.

roll the Spanish dice

It is your turn to roll the Spanish dice.

a set of Spanish dice

He keeps a set of Spanish dice in his desk drawer.

Synonyms and how they differ

dice game

A general term for any game played with dice; Spanish dice names one particular game with its own rules.

hazard

An old-fashioned name for a dice game of chance, now rare; it does not refer to this specific game.

Word family

dice noun

Small cubes with numbered sides, thrown in games of chance.

dicey adjective

Informal word meaning uncertain or risky, as in a dicey situation.

Commonly confused: spanish dice or Spanish deck?

Practice

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