chicane
    n 1: a bridge hand that is void of trumps
    2: a movable barrier used in motor racing; sometimes placed
       before a dangerous corner to reduce speed as cars pass in
       single file
    3: the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract
       money from them) [syn: trickery, chicanery, chicane,
       guile, wile, shenanigan]
    v 1: defeat someone through trickery or deceit [syn: cheat,
         chouse, shaft, screw, chicane, jockey]
    2: raise trivial objections [syn: cavil, carp, chicane]

Chicane \Chi*cane"\, v. i. [Cf. F. chicaner. See Chicane, n.]
   To use shifts, cavils, or artifices. --Burke.
   [1913 Webster]

Chicane \Chi*cane"\, n. [F., prob. earlier meaning a dispute,
   orig. in the game of mall (F. mail), fr. LGr. ? the game of
   mall, fr Pers chaug[=a]n club or bat; or possibly ultimated
   fr. L. ciccus a trible.]
   1. The use of artful subterfuge, designed to draw away
      attention from the merits of a case or question; --
      specifically applied to legal proceedings; trickery;
      chicanery; caviling; sophistry. --Prior.
      [1913 Webster]

            To shuffle from them by chicane.      --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

            To cut short this chicane, I propound it fairly to
            your own conscience.                  --Berkeley.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Card playing) In bridge, the holding of a hand without
      trumps, or the hand itself. It counts as simple honors.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]