Definition

Noun: 1. A game in which rings are thrown at a stake: A traditional outdoor game where players throw rings, typically made of rope or metal, at a target peg (stake) fixed in the ground. The objective is to encircle the stake or land the ring as close to it as possible.

Usage

• As a singular noun (referring to the game): "Quoits" is typically used with a singular verb when referring to the game as a concept.
  • Quoits is a popular game at summer picnics.
• As a plural noun (referring to the rings): The word can also refer to the physical rings used in the game.
  • He collected the quoits from the grass after the game.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Cultural Context: Quoits is considered a traditional game with historical roots in ancient Greece and Rome. It is often associated with pub games in the United Kingdom and community gatherings.
  • The village fête featured a classic quoits tournament.

Variants and Related Words

• Quoit (noun): The singular form referring to one of the rings thrown in the game.
  • He held a heavy iron quoit in his hand.

Synonyms

• Ring toss: A common name for a similar game, though "ring toss" often uses lighter rings and a different target.
• Horseshoes: A related game where horseshoes are thrown at a stake. While similar in objective, the equipment and rules differ.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "quoits" almost exclusively refers to this specific game or its equipment. It does not have other common meanings in modern English.
• It is an uncountable noun when referring to the game (e.g., ) and a countable noun when referring to the rings (e.g., ).

Noun

1. a game in which iron rings (or open iron rings) are thrown at a stake in the ground in the hope of encircling it