[ad. It. spade, pl. of spada (Sp. and Pg. espada) sword (see SPADO2), used as a mark on playing-cards. Cf. G. spadi from the same source.

1

  In British and other cards ultimately of French origin the mark has a form resembling that of a pointed spade, so that there is a natural association with SPADE sb.1 Cf. G. dial. spaten, Da. and Sw. spader (pl.).]

2

  1.  One or other of the black spade-shaped marks by which one of the four suits in a pack of playing-cards is distinguished; hence pl., the cards belonging to or forming this suit.

3

1598.  Florio, Cáppari,… those markes vpon the playing cards called spades.

4

1651.  Pleas. Hist. Miller Mansfield, B ij. With Ladies and their Maids like to the Queene of Spades.

5

1680.  Cotton, Compl. Gamester (ed. 2), 107. The Ace of Spades.

6

1712–4.  Pope, Rape Lock, III. 46. ‘Let Spades be trumps!’ she said.

7

1784.  Cowper, Task, IV. 219. Ensanguin’d hearts, clubs typical of strife, And spades, the emblem of untimely graves.

8

1850.  Bohn’s Hand-bk. Games (1867), 220. You are to discard … the knave, nine, and seven of spades.

9

  2.  A card belonging to the spade-suit.

10

1745.  Hoyle, Quadrille (1746), 13. One small Club, Knave and two small Spades.

11

1828.  Praed, Arr. at Watering-pl., i. Poems 1864, II. 188. I play a spade.

12

1879.  ‘Cavendish,’ Card Ess., etc. 109. Alcippe again plays badly in throwing the ace of hearts to the last spade.

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