ˈlawn-ˈtennis
[lawn n.2]
A modification of the game of tennis (tennis n. 1), played in the open air on a lawn, or other prepared ground.
Now usu. called simply tennis (tennis n. 2).
| 1874 Army & Navy Gaz. XV. 154 A new game has just been patented by Major Wingfield..‘Lawn Tennis’—for that is the name..is a clever adaptation of Tennis to the exigencies of an ordinary lawn. 1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal I. vi. 190 And now came the brief bright season of rustic entertainments.. lawn-tennis—archery—water parties. |
| attrib. 1884 Harper's Mag. Jan 297/2 Lawn-tennis clubs. |