Carambole

/ˌkærəmˈboʊl/ noun

Definition

An alternative spelling of carambola, or a billiards term describing a shot where the cue ball hits multiple objects.

Etymology

The billiards sense comes from French carambole, itself from the fruit name, because the cue ball caroms (bounces) around like a rolling fruit.

Kelly Says

Carambole in billiards shows how fruit names can inspire game terminology—the ball bounces like a rolling carambola, and that visual comparison became permanent in sporting language.

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