Roulette

Definitions

1. A game of chance in which a small ball is made to move round rapidly on a circle divided off into numbered (usually red and black) spaces. When the ball stops, it indicates the result of a variety of wagers permitted by the game.
   uncountable
2. An instance of risk-taking, especially when the downside exceeds the upside (contrary to the game of roulette where only the wager is lost).
   figuratively, uncountable
3. A small toothed wheel used by engravers to roll over a plate in order to produce rows of dots.
   countable
4. A similar wheel used to roughen the surface of a plate, as in making alterations in a mezzotint.
   countable
5. The locus of a point on a plane curve that rolls without slipping along another fixed plane curve.
   countable
6. Any of the small incisions on a sheet of stamps, used as an alternative to perforations.
   countable, uncountable
7. A cylindrical curler for the hair.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Doctors and health officials said that the WRC-TV documentary, "DPT: Vaccine Roulette," emphasized the risks of the vaccine while ignoring the dangers of the disease, which has been almost wiped out in this country.”

“They would all rather take⟳ their chances with the existing policy-making roulette rather than follow⟳ process⟳ discipline.”

“By contrast giving treatments open-label slows everything down by leading us up blind alleys while playing roulette with our patients' lives.”

CEFR level