WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
chou•ette
(sho̅o̅ et′),USA pronunciation n.
- Gamesa variation of a two-handed game, as backgammon, allowing the participation of three or more persons, in which one player accepts the bets of all the others on the outcome of a game between that player and one other active player, who is permitted to receive advice from the nonplayers.
- French, from the phrase faire la chouette to play alone against a group of opponents (in billiards, etc.), literally, to play the barn owl, perh. alluding to the owl's watchful look
- 1885–90