Domino is a word that can be used to describe the action of creating or arranging a sequence of dominoes, a game in which players try to form lines of stacked dominoes that eventually fall over each other. These chains of dominoes can be straight or curved, and they may contain squares that form pictures, grids, walls, or 3D structures like towers and pyramids. In addition to being a fun game, domino is also often used as an artistic medium for creating beautiful pieces of art. These works can be simple or elaborate, and they can be created from a variety of materials including clay, paper, and wood.
The earliest recorded use of the term “domino” was in the mid-18th century, although the game had long been popular in Italy and France. It’s possible that the word derived from the French domino, which originally denoted a cape worn by a priest over his surplice. Domino pieces were once commonly made with ebony blacks and ivory faces, so the name might have been inspired by the garment as well as the game.
In its most common use, domino is a game in which players take turns placing a domino edge-to-edge against another domino in such a way that the adjacent sides match in number or total some specified value. The values on each domino are indicated by arrangements of dots, called pips, which are similar to those on a die. A domino with all pips arranged in one direction is considered more valuable than a domino with all pips arranged differently, or even with no pips at all.
A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, which makes it easier to stack and rearrange after use. It features a line down its center to divide it visually into two squares, each of which is marked with an arrangement of spots or pips, and is blank on the other side. The domino is identified by its two identifiers, or ends, and the value of a domino is determined by its number of pips. A domino with more pips is generally considered to be “heavier” than a domino with fewer or no pips.
As the pips on a domino increase in quantity, it becomes more difficult to read them, and large sets of dominoes feature more readable Arabic numerals instead of pips. Domino sets can be extended by adding progressively larger pairs of ends, which allow the creation of longer domino chains. The most commonly played games of domino require a double-six set, but larger sets can be made up to double-nine.
Many people enjoy domino for its relaxing qualities and the social interaction it encourages. It is often used to help people overcome stress and tension, and it can be an effective tool for teaching children how to be more patient and to resolve conflict peacefully. In addition, many people use domino as a form of therapy or meditation to relieve anxiety and depression.