Date: Wed Jul 24 00:01:05 EDT 2002
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ambsace
ambsace (AYM-zays) noun, also amesace

1. The double ace, the lowest throw of the dice with one spot showing uppermost on both dice.

2. The smallest amount of anything.

3. Bad luck.

[From Middle English ambes as, from Old French, from Latin ambas (both) + as (aces).]

"O noble, prudent folk in happier case!
Your dice-box doth not tumble out ambsace ..."
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Man of Law's Tale, The Canterbury Tales, 1380.