I. ˈās noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English as, from Old French, from Latin ass-, as unity, unit, copper coin; akin to Latin asser beam, pole, stake, assis board, plank
1.
a. : a die face marked with one spot
b. : a playing card marked in its center with one large pip and usually having the index A in its corners
c. : such a card ranking highest in its suit
d. : a domino end marked with one spot — usually used in compounds
double- ace
ace -blank
e. aces plural
(1) : a throw of 2 in craps
(2) : a pair of aces in poker ; also : three aces — used in the phrase aces full
(3) : honors in no-trump
easy aces
150 aces
(4) : one ace of each suit in pinochle
2. : a very small amount or degree : particle , bit
I'll not wag an ace further — John Dryden
3. : a score won by a single stroke ; specifically : a point (as in tennis or handball) scored on a shot (as a service) that an opponent fails to touch
4. : a score in golf of one stroke on a hole or a hole made in one stroke
5. : an airplane combat pilot who has brought down at least five enemy airplanes
6.
a. : a person who excels at something
a football ace
b. : an important or outstanding thing or event
speed is the ace of air transport — Forum
•
- within an ace of
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to score an ace against (an opponent)
2. : to make (a hole in golf) in one stroke
III. adjective
: of first or high rank or quality : outstanding
an ace reporter
IV. transitive verb
1. : to defeat, displace, or dispose of : gain a decisive advantage over — usually used with out
2. : to earn the grade of A on (an examination)