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Sharps

American  
[shahrps] / ʃɑrps /

noun

  1. a single-shot, lever-action breechloader rifle patented in the U.S. in 1848 and adopted by the U.S. military in the 1850s.


Etymology

Origin of Sharps

After Christian Sharps (1811–74), U.S. gunsmith, who invented it

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He learned to distinguish “sharps”—professional gamblers, who tend to win more—with the “rec flow,” or recreational gamblers who are less sophisticated.

From The Wall Street Journal

The proposed metal needle bin will be concreted to the ground and will provide a secure way of disposing of sharps.

From BBC

“The spilling and leaking of bodily fluids from dead bodies was not only due to a lack of body bags, but also due to the fact that bodies would occasionally be delivered to the morgue with intravenous tubes still attached to them and with needles and other hospital ‘sharps’ still lying on the gurneys,” the lawsuit alleged.

From Los Angeles Times

Jay Kornegay, vice president of the Westgate race and sports operations, said roughly 80% bets on the Chiefs was driven by casual gamblers, but that a number of six-digit bets from the so-called sharps on San Francisco caused the line to move back up.

From Seattle Times

Professional bettors, otherwise known as sharps, affect betting lines for all sports.

From Seattle Times