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Caroming Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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caroming

[ˈkɛrəm ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

bouncing off

To carom means to rebound off a surface or to strike and rebound after a collision. It frequently describes the action of a ball in games like billiards or pool, where the ball rebounds off the sides of the table. This term can also be applied in a broader sense to describe any object that ricochets off another object or surface adjacent to it. The word encapsulates the motion of changing direction after a physical impact.

Synonyms

bounce, rebound, ricochet.

Examples of usage

  • The billiard ball caromed off the cushion.
  • The puck caromed off the boards and into the net.
  • He watched as the ball caromed unpredictably across the table.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Sports

  • In billiards, caroming involves hitting one ball to send it off and strike another, requiring skill to control the angles.
  • Carom is also a term used in other sports, such as table tennis, where players aim to anticipate the ball's trajectory after it strikes the table.

Physics

  • The concept of caroming is often used to explain elastic collisions in physics, where energy is conserved, allowing objects to bounce off one another.
  • Angles of incidence and reflection play a critical role in determining the path of an object during a carom; the laws of physics help predict its behavior.

Pop Culture

  • Caroming appears in various arcade games where players attempt to hit targets by bouncing a ball off walls.
  • The term has been adopted in several video games that simulate billiards and similar mechanics, popularizing the gameplay style.

Literature

  • Writers often use the imagery of caroming to describe chaotic scenes where events bounce off each other rapidly, creating a sense of action or turmoil.
  • The act of caroming can symbolize interconnectedness in storytelling, where characters and plots collide in unexpected ways.

Origin of 'caroming'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the French term 'caramboler,' which means 'to hit or collide,' originally used in the context of billiards.
  • The earliest recorded use of 'carom' in English dates back to the late 19th century, primarily associated with billiards and similar games.

The term 'carom' is believed to have originated from the 19th-century French word 'carom', which itself might have derived from 'caramboler', meaning to strike or rebound. The sport of billiards popularized this term, reflecting the specific action of balls bouncing off the sides of the table. The usage expanded as the game became more widespread, leading to its current definition that includes any rebounding action, not just in billiards. The etymology reflects the movement and dynamics of objects in play, making it a fitting term for both sports and physical sciences.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,215, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.