pinball
pinball Lexical Profile
pinball Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An arcade game in which a player uses mechanical flippers to keep a small metal ball in play on a glass-covered,傾斜 (slanted) board, scoring points by striking various bumpers, targets, and ramps.
"The vintage arcade down the street has a dozen classic pinball machines from the 1970s."
The small, heavy steel ball propelled and deflected inside a pinball machine.
"The silver pinball ricocheted off the top bumpers before dropping straight down the center drain."
• verb
To bounce, ricochet, or move rapidly and erratically from one place, surface, or situation to another.
"The shopping cart pinballed between several parked cars in the gusty wind before hitting the curb."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 1930s as a compound of 'pin' and 'ball', referring to the early bagatelle-style arcade games where a metal ball rolled down a slanted wooden board studded with brass pins.