/ays/ , n. , v. , aced, acing , adj.
n.
1. a playing card or die marked with or having the value indicated by a single spot: He dealt me four aces in the first hand.
2. a single spot or mark on a playing card or die.
3. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.)
a. Also called service ace . a placement made on a service.
b. any placement.
c. a serve that the opponent fails to touch.
d. the point thus scored.
4. a fighter pilot credited with destroying a prescribed number or more of enemy aircraft, usually five, in combat.
5. a very skilled person; expert; adept: an ace at tap dancing.
6. Slang. a one-dollar bill.
7. Slang. a close friend.
8. Golf.
a. Also called hole in one . a shot in which the ball is driven from the tee into the hole in one stroke: He hit a 225-yard ace on the first hole.
b. a score of one stroke made on such a shot: to card an ace.
9. Slang. a barbiturate or amphetamine capsule or pill.
10. a very small quantity, amount, or degree; a particle: not worth an ace.
11. Slang. a grade of A; the highest grade or score.
12. ace up one's sleeve , an important, effective, or decisive argument, resource, or advantage kept in reserve until needed.
13. be aces with , Slang. to be highly regarded by: The boss says you're aces with him.
14. easy aces , Auction Bridge. aces equally divided between opponents.
15. within an ace of , within a narrow margin of; close to: He came within an ace of winning.
v.t.
16. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to win a point against (one's opponent) by an ace.
17. Golf. to make an ace on (a hole).
18. Slang. to cheat, defraud, or take advantage of (often fol. by out ): to be aced out of one's inheritance; a friend who aced me out of a good job.
19. Slang.
a. to receive a grade of A, as on a test or in a course (sometimes fol. by out ).
b. to complete easily and successfully: He aced every physical fitness test they gave him.
20. ace it , Slang. to accomplish something with complete success: a champion who could ace it every time.
adj.
21. excellent; first-rate; outstanding.
[ 1250-1300; 1915 for def. 4; ME as, aas as 2 ; sense 4 after F as in World War I; sense 5 ]