Gambler
/ˈɡæm.blɚ/noun
A person who plays games of chance or risks money on uncertain outcomes.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “leg” or “to bend,” and its path into English passed through old slang for a trickster or cheater at games of chance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰembʰ-
“to bend, to curve”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gambaz
“leg, shank”
Old French
OF
gambler / gambeleur
“to play at dice; a dice-player or cheat”
Middle English
ME
gambler
“a dice-player, especially one who cheats or plays for stakes”
Modern English
English
gambler
“a person who wagers money or valuables on uncertain outcomes”