ace
Pronunciation: (ās), [key]
— n., v., adj. aced, ac•ing,
—n.
- a playing card or die marked with or having the value indicated by a single spot: He dealt me four aces in the first hand.
- a single spot or mark on a playing card or die.
- (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.)
- Also calledservice ace.a placement made on a service.
- any placement.
- a serve that the opponent fails to touch.
- the point thus scored.
- a fighter pilot credited with destroying a prescribed number or more of enemy aircraft, usually five, in combat.
- a very skilled person; expert; adept: an ace at tap dancing.
- a one-dollar bill.
- a close friend.
- He hit a 225-yard ace on the first hole.
- Also calledhole in one.a shot in which the ball is driven from the tee into the hole in one stroke:He hit a 225-yard ace on the first hole.
- a score of one stroke made on such a shot:to card an ace.
- a barbiturate or amphetamine capsule or pill.
- a very small quantity, amount, or degree; a particle: not worth an ace.
- a grade of A; the highest grade or score.
- an important, effective, or decisive argument, resource, or advantage kept in reserve until needed.
- to be highly regarded by: The boss says you're aces with him.
- Auction Bridge. aces equally divided between opponents.
- within a narrow margin of; close to: He came within an ace of winning.
—v.t.
- (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to win a point against (one's opponent) by an ace.
- to make an ace on (a hole).
- to cheat, defraud, or take advantage of (often fol. by out): to be aced out of one's inheritance; a friend who aced me out of a good job.
- He aced every physical fitness test they gave him.
- to receive a grade of A, as on a test or in a course (sometimes fol. by out).
- to complete easily and successfully:He aced every physical fitness test they gave him.
- to accomplish something with complete success: a champion who could ace it every time.
—adj.
- excellent; first-rate; outstanding.
ACE
- American Council on Education.
- Army Corps of Engineers.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.