bete

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbāt 

in certain card games

: subject to a penalty for failure to fulfill one's contract

also : down, beaten

bete

2 of 2

noun

ˈbāt 

plural -s

: failure by the bidder (as in auction pinochle) to fulfill his or her contract

also : the penalty for such failure

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably from French bête, literally, blockhead, beast (in faire la bête to pass in a card game), from Old French beste beast

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