n.
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian spada or Spanish espada broadsword; both from Latin spatha, from Greek spath ē blade
Date: circa 1598
1 a plural but singular or plural in construction : the suit comprising cards marked spades b : a black figure that resembles a stylized spearhead on each playing card of one of the four suits also : a card marked with this figure
2 usually offensive : BLACK 4
– in spades : to an unusually great degree : in the extreme