pin pool

Pool \Pool\, n. [F. poule, properly, a hen. See {Pullet}.]
   [Written also {poule}.]
   1. The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards,
      etc.; an aggregated stake to which each player has
      contributed a snare; also, the receptacle for the stakes.
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   2. A game at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a
      certain sum, the winner taking the whole; also, in public
      billiard rooms, a game in which the loser pays the
      entrance fee for all who engage in the game; a game of
      skill in pocketing the balls on a pool table.
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   Note: This game is played variously, but commonly with
         fifteen balls, besides one cue ball, the contest being
         to drive the most balls into the pockets.
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               He plays pool at the billiard houses.
                                                  --Thackeray.
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   3. In rifle shooting, a contest in which each competitor pays
      a certain sum for every shot he makes, the net proceeds
      being divided among the winners.
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   4. Any gambling or commercial venture in which several
      persons join.
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   5. A combination of persons contributing money to be used for
      the purpose of increasing or depressing the market price
      of stocks, grain, or other commodities; also, the
      aggregate of the sums so contributed; as, the pool took
      all the wheat offered below the limit; he put $10,000 into
      the pool.
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   6. (Railroads) A mutual arrangement between competing lines,
      by which the receipts of all are aggregated, and then
      distributed pro rata according to agreement.
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   7. (Law) An aggregation of properties or rights, belonging to
      different people in a community, in a common fund, to be
      charged with common liabilities.
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   {Pin pool}, a variety of the game of billiards in which small
      wooden pins are set up to be knocked down by the balls.

   {Pool ball}, one of the colored ivory balls used in playing
      the game at billiards called pool.

   {Pool snipe} (Zool.), the European redshank. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Pool table}, a billiard table with pockets.
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