croquet

Intermediate ⚽ Sports / Fitness

Definition

A lawn game in which players use mallets to hit balls through a series of wickets arranged in a specific pattern on grass, advancing around the course in a predetermined sequence. Strategically placing balls and blocking opponents are key elements of skilled play.

Example Usage

The country club hosts a croquet tournament every summer on the manicured lawn.

Origin

Derived from the French word 'crochet' (hook), the game evolved in 14th-century France and became formalized in 19th-century England.

Fun Fact

Croquet has a reputation for being sedate, but competitive play can be surprisingly aggressive and psychologically intense.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)