gambit

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Noun

gambit (plural gambits)

1. An opening in chess, in which a minor piece (often a pawn) is sacrificed to gain an advantage.
2. Any ploy or stratagem.

   Their promise to lower taxes is clearly an election-year gambit.

3. A remark intended to open a conversation.

   Her clever opening gambit gave her an advantage.