domino

Everyday

1. A small flat rectangular tile with spots (0 to 6) on each half, used in a game. tree →
2. dominoes: the game played with these tiles. tree →
3. domino effect: when one event causes a chain of other events, like a line of falling dominoes. tree →
4. A domino is also a loose hooded cloak worn with a mask at a masked party. tree →

In the lessons

In maths, dominoes are used for counting, adding and pairs; in science and everyday life, toppling domino chains show chain reactions; in history and news, the «domino effect» describes one change leading to many; phrases: «play dominoes», «domino effect», «fall like dominoes».

Examples

• Grandpa and I play dominoes after tea. tree →
• We set up 500 dominoes and knocked them all down. tree →
• Add the spots on each domino to find the total. tree →
• One late bus caused a domino effect, and everyone was late. tree →
• A full domino set has 28 tiles. tree →
• The dominoes fell one after the other. tree →
• Match the domino ends with the same number. tree →
• The domino raised his mask, and it was George. tree →

Note

Plural: dominoes (with e). Maths: a double-six set has 28 dominoes, and the spots on the whole set add up to 168. The game name is plural: «Dominoes is fun».