U

domino

noun, plural dom·i·noes.

a flat, thumbsized, rectangular block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each either blank or bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 such pieces form a complete set.
dominoes, (used with a singular verb) any of various games played with such pieces, usually by matching the ends of pieces and laying the dominoes down in lines and angular patterns.

noun, plural dom·i·noes, dom·i·nos.

a large, hooded cloak with a mask covering the eyes, worn at masquerades.
the mask.
a person wearing such dress.

noun

AntoineFats, born 1928, U.S. rhythm-and-blues pianist, singer, and composer.

noun plural -noes

a small rectangular block used in dominoes, divided on one side into two equal areas, each of which is either blank or marked with from one to six dots
(modifier) exhibiting the domino effecta domino pattern of takeovers

noun plural -noes or -nos

a large hooded cloak worn with an eye mask at a masquerade
the eye mask worn with such a cloak

noun

Fats. real name Antoine Domino born 1928, US rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll pianist, singer, and songwriter. His singles include “Ain’t that a Shame” (1955) and “Blueberry Hill” (1956)

1801, from French domino (1771), perhaps (on comparison of the black tiles of the game) from the meaning “hood with a cloak worn by canons or priests” (1690s), from Latin dominus “lord, master” (see domain), but the connection is not clear. Klein thinks it might be directly from dominus, “because he who has first disposed his pieces becomes ‘the master.’ ” Metaphoric use in geopolitics is from April 1954, first used by U.S. President Eisenhower in a “New York Times” piece, in reference to what happens when you set up a row of dominos and knock the first one down.