/gam"bit/ , n.
1. Chess. an opening in which a player seeks to obtain some advantage by sacrificing a pawn or piece.
2. any maneuver by which one seeks to gain an advantage.
3. a remark made to open or redirect a conversation.
[ 1650-60; gambito or It gambetto (akin to OF gambet, jambet ), equiv. to gamb ( a ) leg + -etta -ET ]
Syn. 2. ploy, stratagem, scheme, ruse.