n.
Pronunciation: ' mär-t ə n- ˌ g ā l, -ti ŋ -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French
Date: 1584
1 : a device for steadying a horse's head or checking its upward movement that typically consists of a strap fastened to the girth, passing between the forelegs, and bifurcating to end in two rings through which the reins pass
2 a : a lower stay of rope or chain for the jibboom used to sustain the strain of the forestays and fastened to or rove through the dolphin striker b : DOLPHIN STRIKER
3 : any of several systems of betting in which a player increases the stake usually by doubling each time a bet is lost
martingale 1