#propounded

whist, n.3

A game of cards played (ordinarily) by four persons, of whom each two sitting opposite each other are partners, with a pack of 52 cards, which are dealt face downwards to the players in rotation, so that each has a hand of 13 cards; one of the suits (usually determined by the last card dealt, which is then turned face upwards) is trumps(see trump n.2 1); the players play in rotation, each four successive cards so played constituting a trick (trick n.12), in which each player after the leader must follow suit if he holds a card of the suit led, otherwise may either discard or trump; the winner of a trick becomes the leader of the next trick; points are scored according to the number of tricks won, and in some forms of the game also by the honours or highest trumps (honour n.8a) held by each pair of partners.

Etymology:  Altered < whisk n.2, explained as in quot. 1680 at main sense.

whist, adj.1

b. Keeping silence in relation to something; saying nothing about the matter.

Etymology: < whist int.1 Compare hust adj., whisht adj.1, whust n., adj., and v.

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propound, v.

1. a. trans. To put forward, set forth, propose, or offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption; to put forward as a question for solution. Also with clause as object.

Etymology: Alteration or variant of propone v., perhaps after compound v., expound v.

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