Definition

A type of strap or system used in various contexts, including clothing, gambling, and nautical rigging, often involving a method of increasing stakes or providing support.

Example

He used a martingale to secure the jibboom on the sailboat.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the martingale betting system?

Yeah, it's where you double your bet after each loss, right?

Exactly! Some people swear it works, but it sounds risky to me.

I agree, losing a lot at once could really hurt your wallet.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Martingale** → The word originates from the name of a 19th-century French nobleman, the Marquis de Martingale, who is associated with a betting system. The term has since evolved to refer to a type of betting strategy or a device used in horse riding to prevent a horse from raising its head too high. Thus, it reflects a method or system related to control and strategy in both gambling and equestrian contexts.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Martingale' as a strategy named after a French nobleman, which helps you remember that it involves a method of control in betting or horse riding.

Visually Confused Words