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Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 21:06:11 -0700 (PDT)
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Subject: A.Word.A.Day--gambit
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gambit (GAM-bit) noun

   1. An opening in which a minor piece is sacrificed to obtain a strategic
      advantage.

   2. A maneuver used to secure an advantage.

   3. A remark used to open or redirect a conversation.

[From Spanish gambito, from Italian gambetto (the act of tripping someone),
from gamba (leg).]

   "North Korea will no doubt try to gain maximum advantage by playing South
   Korea, America and Japan off against each other. If it fails to get the
   result - and the cash - it wants from its new diplomatic gambit, it may
   simply abandon the enterprise."
   The Two Koreas: Mr Kim, Meet Mr Kim, The Economist (London),
   Apr 15, 2000.

This week's theme: words from chess.

............................................................................
Sin is geographical. -Bertrand Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author,
Nobel laureate (1872-1970)

Q: Tomorrow is my friend's birthday and I forgot to send her a gift. Help!
A: Give the gift of words. Send a gift subscription of A.Word.A.Day at
   http://wordsmith.org/awad/gift.html . It is the gift that keeps on
   giving the whole year long, and beyond.

Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/gambit.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/gambit.ram