Back"gam`mon (?), n. [Origin unknown; perhaps fr.Dan. bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from E.back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are often set back.]
A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a "board" marked off into twenty-four spaces called "points". Each player has fifteen pieces, or "men", the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called tables.
Backgammon board , a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two "tables".
© Webster 1913.
Back"gam`mon, v. i.
In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first "table".
© Webster 1913.