(n.) A small and rather deep collection of (usually) fresh water,
as one supplied by a spring, or occurring in the course of a stream; a
reservoir for water; as, the pools of Solomon.
(n.) A small body of standing or stagnant water; a puddle.
(n.) The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards,
etc.; an aggregated stake to which each player has contributed a snare;
also, the receptacle for the stakes.
(n.) A game at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a
certain sum, the winner taking the whole; also, in public billiard
rooms, a game in which the loser pays the entrance fee for all who
engage in the game; a game of skill in pocketing the balls on a pool
table.
(n.) In rifle shooting, a contest in which each competitor pays a
certain sum for every shot he makes, the net proceeds being divided
among the winners.
(n.) Any gambling or commercial venture in which several persons
join.
(n.) A combination of persons contributing money to be used for
the purpose of increasing or depressing the market price of stocks,
grain, or other commodities; also, the aggregate of the sums so
contributed; as, the pool took all the wheat offered below the limit;
he put $10,000 into the pool.
(n.) A mutual arrangement between competing lines, by which the
receipts of all are aggregated, and then distributed pro rata according
to agreement.
(n.) An aggregation of properties or rights, belonging to
different people in a community, in a common fund, to be charged with
common liabilities.
(v. t.) To put together; to contribute to a common fund, on the
basis of a mutual division of profits or losses; to make a common
interest of; as, the companies pooled their traffic.
(v. i.) To combine or contribute with others, as for a commercial,
speculative, or gambling transaction.
