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racket

1. A thin strip of wood, having the ends brought together, forming a somewhat elliptical hoop, across which a network of catgut or cord is stretched. It is furnished with a handle, and is used for catching or striking a ball in tennis and similar games. Each one [of the Indians] has a bat curved like a crosier, and ending in a racket. (Bancroft)

2. A variety of the game of tennis played with peculiar long-handled rackets; chiefly in the plural.

3. A snowshoe formed of cords stretched across a long and narrow frame of light wood.

4. A broad wooden shoe or patten for a man horse, to enable him to step on marshy or soft ground. Racket court, a court for playing the game of rackets.

Origin: F. Raquette; cf. Sp. Raquets, It. Racchetta, which is perhaps for retichetta, and fr. L. Rete a net (cf. Reticule); or perh. From the Arabic; cf. Ar. Raha the palm of the hand (used at first to strike the ball), and OF. Rachette, rasquette, carpus, tarsus

Alternative forms: racquet.