Pronunciations (2)
-
/ɹuːˈlɛt/
-
ɹuːˈlɛt
Noun
A game of chance in which a small ball is made to move round rapidly on a circle divided off into numbered (usually red and black) spaces. When the ball stops, it indicates the result of a variety of wagers permitted by the game.
Usage- Uncountable
An instance of risk-taking, especially when the downside exceeds the upside (contrary to the game of roulette where only the wager is lost).
Usage- Figurative
- Uncountable
- Examples
-
More examples (1)
Doctors and health officials said that the WRC-TV documentary, "DPT: Vaccine Roulette," emphasized the risks of the vaccine while ignoring the dangers of the disease, which has been almost wiped out in this country.
They would all rather take their chances with the existing policy-making roulette rather than follow process discipline.
By contrast giving treatments open-label slows everything down by leading us up blind alleys while playing roulette with our patients' lives.
A small toothed wheel used by engravers to roll over a plate in order to produce rows of dots.
Usage- Countable
A similar wheel used to roughen the surface of a plate, as in making alterations in a mezzotint.
Usage- Countable
The locus of a point on a plane curve that rolls without slipping along another fixed plane curve.
Usage- Countable
Any of the small incisions on a sheet of stamps, used as an alternative to perforations.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
A cylindrical curler for the hair.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
Verb
To separate or decorate by incisions made with a small toothed wheel.
- Related words
- Examples
-
to roulette a sheet of postage stamps
Noun
a line generated by a point on one figure rolling around a second figure
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
a wheel with teeth for making a row of perforations
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
a gambling game in which players bet on which compartment of a revolving wheel a small ball will come to rest in
- Broader terms