poule

Pool Pool, n. [F. poule, properly, a hen. See {Pullet}.] [Written also {poule}.] 1. The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards, etc.; an aggregated stake to which each player has contributed a snare; also, the receptacle for the stakes. [1913 Webster]

2. A game at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a certain sum, the winner taking the whole; also, in public billiard rooms, a game in which the loser pays the entrance fee for all who engage in the game; a game of skill in pocketing the balls on a pool table. [1913 Webster]

Note: This game is played variously, but commonly with fifteen balls, besides one cue ball, the contest being to drive the most balls into the pockets. [1913 Webster]

He plays pool at the billiard houses. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]

3. In rifle shooting, a contest in which each competitor pays a certain sum for every shot he makes, the net proceeds being divided among the winners. [1913 Webster]

4. Any gambling or commercial venture in which several persons join. [1913 Webster]

5. A combination of persons contributing money to be used for the purpose of increasing or depressing the market price of stocks, grain, or other commodities; also, the aggregate of the sums so contributed; as, the pool took all the wheat offered below the limit; he put $10,000 into the pool. [1913 Webster]

6. (Railroads) A mutual arrangement between competing lines, by which the receipts of all are aggregated, and then distributed pro rata according to agreement. [1913 Webster]

7. (Law) An aggregation of properties or rights, belonging to different people in a community, in a common fund, to be charged with common liabilities. [1913 Webster]

{Pin pool}, a variety of the game of billiards in which small wooden pins are set up to be knocked down by the balls.

{Pool ball}, one of the colored ivory balls used in playing the game at billiards called pool.

{Pool snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the European redshank. [Prov. Eng.]

{Pool table}, a billiard table with pockets. [1913 Webster]