Gam"bit (?), n. [F. gambit, cf. It. gambitto gambit, a tripping up. See Gambol, n.] Chess Playing
A mode of opening the game, in which a pawn is sacrificed to gain an attacking position.
<-- Hence, Fig. any stratagem; in conversation, a remark, often prepared in advance, calculated to provoke discussion, amuse, or make a point = a conversational gambit -->
© Webster 1913.