Earth, v. To hide in earth; to force an animal to his concealment or den—as to earth a fox or badger.
Earwig, s. A sheath-winged insect.
Ecarté, s. A game at cards.
Ecarté is played by two persons with a pack of thirty-two cards, as at piquet. It is customary to have two packs, and of different colours for the sake of distinction. The pack to be first dealt with is placed on the right hand of the dealer, and the other at his left. Though only two persons can play at the same time, it is not unusual to admit one or more into the game, the winner or loser, as may be agreed, resigning his seat to the next in rotation, and this is called playing a fool. The game consists of five points, unless it be otherwise agreed upon by the players.
OF CUTTING FOR THE DEAL.
1. He who cuts the highest card is entitled to the deal. In most games the lowest card takes the deal, but it is the reverse at ecarté, the deal being considered an advantage on account of the king, of which we shall speak hereafter.
2. He who does not show the card he cuts, is considered as having cut the lowest in the pack.
3. He who shows two cards in cutting is considered as having cut the lowest of the two.
4. The cut for the deal is good, even with a defective pack.
5. In playing a rubber, the deal goes on regularly as at all other games.