Meaning of Pope Joan | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A mythical female pope who allegedly reigned for a few years during the Middle Ages.
2. A card game played on a round board with compartments.
   uncountable

Examples

“He could sing⟳, and talk⟳, and drink⟳, and keep⟳ things stirring, and the gentlemen liked him; and he was, 'twas said, a wonderful fine player at whist, and piquet, and ombre, and all sorts of card-playing. So you see⟳ he could afford⟳ to play⟳ fair. The first time he came down, he fought three duels about a tipsy quarrel over a pool of Pope Joan.”

“The game of Pope Joan is played on a special circular board⟳ with divisions, and often lacquered in red and gold upon a black background. It was played early in the nineteenth century and several boards exist⟳, mainly in museums and also in some of the stately homes of England. It was a popular game with the Prince of Wales, later Willliam IV.”

CEFR level