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Definition of pam

pam

/pæm/
pam
Plural:pams
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pam Lexical Profile

pam Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The knave (jack) of clubs in playing cards, especially when serving as the highest trump card in the traditional game of five-card loo.

Example

"By holding the pam in his hand, the dealer secured the entire pool in the final round of loo."

2

A historical trick-taking card game, more fully known as pam-loo, in which the jack of clubs acts as the highest trump.

Example

"In eighteenth-century drawing rooms, guests frequently passed the evening playing pam for small stakes."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pam

• Rhymes for pam

• Nearby Words

palsy
paltriness
paltry
pam
pamba
pamirs
pampa

Word Origin & Etymology

Dating to the late 17th century, 'pam' is aclipping of 'Pamphile', the French name for the knave of clubs, which ultimately derives from the Greek personal name 'Pamphilos' (meaning 'beloved of all').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pam. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pam
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