pachisi
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Hindi पचीसी (pacīsī, “twenty-five”), referring to the largest score that can be thrown with the cowrie shells. [from 19th c.]
Noun
pachisi (uncountable)
- An ancient Indian board game in which players, throwing dice, shells, etc. to determine the distance of each move, attempt to be the first to take all of their counters around the board.
Usage notes
- Parcheesi is a modern American adaptation; that word is trademarked.