chicane en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
Borrowed from French chicane.
Meanings
- (countable, uncountable) A quibble, a pedantic or dishonest objection; an act of deception.
-
(countable, uncountable) The use of dishonest means or subterfuge to achieve one's (especially political) goals; chicanery, trickery.
1775, Edmund Burke, speech on conciliation with America In this character of the Americans, a love of freedom is the predominating feature which marks and distinguishes the whole; and as an ardent is always a jealous affection, your Colonies become suspicious, restive, and untractable whenever they see the least attempt to wrest from them by force, or shuffle from them by chicane, what they think the only advantage worth living for.
‘That they may be unlearned in the detestable chicane of politics, is certain; but, they are also uncorrupted by the odious and pernicious maxims of the unfeeling tools of despotism.’
1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 107:
- (countable, uncountable) The holding of a hand without trumps, or the hand itself.
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(countable, uncountable) A sharp double bend on a racecourse, designed to prevent unsafe speeds; an obstacle creating a curve.
On lap 23, Hamilton got a run on Leclerc into the second chicane after the two had overtaken Nico Hulkenberg's out-of-stop-sequence Renault down the main straight.
2019 September 8, Andrew Benson, BBC Sport:
- (countable, uncountable) A raised area or other obstacle around which vehicles must drive, especially designed to reduce speed.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| chicanes | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
bus stop chicane · moving chicane · double chicane · mobile chicane
Relateds
Translations (21)
it chicane (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · cs trik (chicanery) · es chicane (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · fi šikaani (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · cs šikana (road transport: obstacle designed to reduce speed) · cs podvod (chicanery) · de Schikane (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · ga siceán (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · cs šikana (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · tr şikan (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · ca xicana (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · nl chicane (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · cs retardér (road transport: obstacle designed to reduce speed) · cs podvrh (chicanery) · de Schikane (chicanery) · bg двусмислица (chicanery) · it curva a gomito (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds) · fi juonittelu (chicanery) · fi hidastemutka (road transport: obstacle designed to reduce speed) · fi puliveivaus (chicanery) · pl szykana (motor racing: double bend or obstacle designed to prevent unsafe speeds)