I. ˈās noun
Etymology: Middle English as, from Anglo-French, from Latin, unit, a copper coin
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a die face marked with one spot
b. : a playing card marked in its center with one pip
c. : a domino end marked with one spot
2. : a very small amount or degree : particle
3. : a point scored especially on a service (as in tennis or handball) that an opponent fails to touch
4. : a golf score of one stroke on a hole ; also : a hole made in one stroke
5. : a combat pilot who has brought down at least five enemy airplanes
6.
a. : a person who excels at something
a computer ace
b. : the best pitcher on a baseball team
the ace of the staff
•
- ace in the hole
- within an ace of
II. transitive verb
( aced ; ac·ing )
Date: 1923
1. : to score an ace against (an opponent)
2. : to make (a hole in golf) in one stroke
3. : to gain a decisive advantage over : defeat — usually used with out
4.
a. : to earn a high grade on (as an examination) ; especially : to get an A on
b. : to perform extremely well in
he aced every subject
III. adjective
Date: 1926
: of first or high rank or quality
an ace mechanic