‖ misère Cards.
(mɪˈzɛə(r), Fr. mizɛr)
[Fr. = poverty, misery.]
1. In boston and solo whist, a declaration by which the caller undertakes not to take a trick.
| 1830 ‘Eidrah Trebor’ Hoyle 32 [Boaston.] If he is to play Misere, the elder hand leads, and in this case there are no trumps. Ibid. 34 In playing any of the four modifications of ‘Misere’. 1888 A. S. Wilks & C. F. Pardon How to Play Solo Whist 2 The monotony of the very bad hands which in Whist were dealt out to him..he is now enabled to vary by calling ‘misère’. Ibid. 6 The misère caller should..claim the full penalty for every such offence. Ibid. 9. |
2. = misery.
| 1897 E. Dowson Let. c 10 June (1967) 385 Writing to you has somewhat cheered me, but all my misères will return in a moment. 1903 [see God-forsaken ppl. a.]. 1964 Punch 2 Sept. 359/3 Recommended to those who still enjoy being stunned by the grandeurs of empire with the misères guaranteed absent. |