Cricket

[krik-it] /ˈkrɪk ɪt/

noun
1.
any of several jumping, orthopterous insects of the family Gryllidae, characterized by long antennae and stridulating organs on the forewings of the male, as one of the species commonly found in pastures and meadows (field cricket) or on trees and shrubs (tree cricket)
2.
a small metal toy with a flat metal spring that snaps back and forth with a clicking, cricketlike noise when pressed.
[krik-it] /ˈkrɪk ɪt/
noun
1.
a game, popular especially in England, for two teams of 11 members each that is played on a field having two wickets 22 yards (20 meters) apart, the object being to score runs by batting the ball far enough so that one is enabled to exchange wickets with the batsman defending the opposite wicket before the ball is recovered.
2.
fair play; honorable conduct:
It wouldn’t be cricket to look at his cards.
verb (used without object)
3.
to play cricket.
[krik-it] /ˈkrɪk ɪt/
noun
1.
a small, low stool.
[krik-it] /ˈkrɪk ɪt/
noun
1.
(on a sloping roof) a small roof for diverting rain water around an obstruction, as a chimney.
/ˈkrɪkɪt/
noun
1.
any insect of the orthopterous family Gryllidae, having long antennae and, in the males, the ability to produce a chirping sound (stridulation) by rubbing together the leathery forewings
2.
any of various related insects, such as the mole cricket
/ˈkrɪkɪt/
noun
1.

2.
(informal) not cricket, not fair play
verb (intransitive)
3.
to play cricket
/ˈkrɪkɪt/
noun
1.
a small low stool
n.

the insect, early 14c., from Old French criquet (12c.) “a cricket,” from criquer “to creak, rattle, crackle,” of echoic origin.

the game, 1590s, apparently from Old French criquet “goal post, stick,” perhaps from Middle Dutch/Middle Flemish cricke “stick, staff,” perhaps from the same root as crutch. Sense of “fair play” is first recorded 1851, on notion of “cricket as it should be played.”

Related Terms

not cricket
see: not cricket