The AI-powered English dictionary
countable and uncountable, plural chicanes
A quibble, a pedantic or dishonest objection; an act of deception. examples
The use of dishonest means or subterfuge to achieve one's (especially political) goals; chicanery, trickery. quotations examples
In this character of the Americans, a love of freedom is the predominating feature which marks and distinguishes the whole; and as an ardent is always a jealous affection, your Colonies become suspicious, restive, and untractable whenever they see the least attempt to wrest from them by force, or shuffle from them by chicane, what they think the only advantage worth living for.
1775, Edmund Burke, speech on conciliation with America
‘That they may be unlearned in the detestable chicane of politics, is certain; but, they are also uncorrupted by the odious and pernicious maxims of the unfeeling tools of despotism.’
1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 107
(card games, chiefly bridge) The holding of a hand without trumps, or the hand itself. examples
(motor racing) A sharp double bend on a racecourse, designed to prevent unsafe speeds; an obstacle creating a curve. quotations examples
On lap 23, Hamilton got a run on Leclerc into the second chicane after the two had overtaken Nico Hulkenberg's out-of-stop-sequence Renault down the main straight.
2019 September 8, Andrew Benson, BBC Sport
(road transport) A raised area or other obstacle around which vehicles must drive, especially designed to reduce speed. examples
third-person singular simple present chicanes, present participle chicaning, simple past and past participle chicaned
(intransitive) To use chicanery, tricks, or subterfuge. examples
(transitive) To deceive. examples