Meaning

(dated, countable) An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the same time; a buffet..

Definitions by Sense

1. (dated, countable) An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the same time; a buffet.
2. (uncountable) A French card game, somewhat like poker, but of earlier origin and involving different scoring of hands, played with a 40 card deck (four suits of Ace through 10).

Example Sentences

When straiten'd in your time, and servants few, You'd richly then compose an ambigu; Where first and second course, and your desert, All in one single table have their part.

"Carry this to Sister Clarisse,” she said, "and bid her prepare an ambigu for neighbour Prudent in the almonry.” The schoolmaster's face shone. An ambigu, in other words, meat, vegetables, dessert, served at once generally in one large dish, made up for scanty fare days before and after.

Properly served, as is done daily in many a Creole home, an “Ambigu” may become an elegant and distinguished repast, though the viands are plain and simple.

The meaning of the French word which was appropriated to use in England in this way can be 'a mixture of different things', and this meaning was reflected in the wide variety of dishes laid out on the 'sideboard' for an ambigu.

In France during the following century primero became ambigu, and a little later another variation, called brag, sprang up in the west of England, from which poker is more directly descended in its American form.

Others include the French games of ambigu, bouillotte, and brelan, the English games of brag and post-and-pair, and the Italian game of primiera.

There can be no ties in ambigu because when identical hands occur (as ♠9,♣7,♦5,♥A vs. ♣9,♦7,♥5,♠A) the player nearest to the dealer's right becomes the winner.

Word Forms

• ambigus

Related Words

When Should You Use Ambigu?

Use ambigu when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions