primero
1
9.9
An old European card game played in the 1500s and 1600s
- noun
- /prɪˈmɛroʊ/
- Archaic
:
primero
- The card game primero was a favorite pastime among aristocrats in old Europe.
Examples
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After dinner, the guests enjoyed a round of primero by the fireplace.
-
Parmeno's grasping bent and his decisive leanings toward conspiracy are exposed yet again in a fleeting giggle at the close of the auto primero.
Academic text (1995) -
In the 16th century, nobles often gathered to play primero during their lavish banquets.
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word primero comes from Spanish for 'first', from the Latin root primus, the same root you see in English prime and primary. A helpful way to remember the old card game is that players tried to be the 'first' to win, so the game's name points to being first or an early, popular game.