Definition

Noun: 1. A 17th-century game: A historical outdoor game in which a wooden ball is struck with a mallet to drive it along an alley or through a series of hoops.

Usage

The word "pall-mall" functions solely as a noun referring to this specific historical game. It is typically used in historical or descriptive contexts.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The name of the famous London street, Pall Mall, is derived from this game, as it was built on a former pall-mall alley.
• The term is often used attributively in historical descriptions, such as "a pall-mall alley" or "a pall-mall mallet."

Variants and Related Words

• Pall Mall: The proper noun for the London street, which retains the historical spelling.
• Croquet: A modern lawn game with similar mechanics, considered a descendant of pall-mall.

Synonyms

• Historical game
• Precursor to croquet

Notes on Meaning

"Pall-mall" refers exclusively to the historical game. It does not have modern meanings or applications outside of this historical context and its derivative place name.

Noun

1. a 17th century game; a wooden ball was driven along an alley with a mallet