Meanings
plural ambsaces · alternative ambes-as · alternative ambs-ace · alternative ames-ace · alternative amesace
- archaicuncountableusuallyTwo ones; the lowest throw at dice; a pair of aces.
MARLOW (flirting with a maid). And why not now, my angel? Such beauty fires beyond the power of resistance.—Pshaw! the father here! My old luck: I never nicked seven that I did not throw ames ace three times following. [Exit MARLOW.]
1773, Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer - archaicuncountableusuallyBad luck, worthlessness.
Origin
- Latinambo
- Old Frenchambes as“both aces”
- Englishambsace
From Old French ambes as (“both aces”), from Latin ambo + as.
More words from Old French, Latin
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
ambsace. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ambsace
“ambsace.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ambsace. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ambsace,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ambsace.
Source: ambsace on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.