staunton: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “staunton” mean?
A specific design of chess pieces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific design of chess pieces.
A standard pattern for chessmen, now the official design for tournament play; also refers to the type of chess set using this pattern.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Identical in meaning. The design is named after British chess player Howard Staunton. Usage is universal in chess communities.
Connotations
Professionalism, standardisation, authenticity.
Frequency
High frequency within chess contexts; virtually unknown outside of them.
Grammar
How to Use “staunton” in a Sentence
[determiner] + Staunton + [noun (set/pieces)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “staunton” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He preferred the weight of a Staunton knight.
- All major tournaments require Staunton-design pieces.
American English
- She invested in a beautiful rosewood Staunton set.
- The club's rules specify Staunton chessmen.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing and retail of chess equipment.
Academic
Used in historical and game studies texts regarding chess.
Everyday
Rare outside of chess players' conversations.
Technical
The precise term for the FIDE-approved design for competitive play.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “staunton”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “staunton”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “staunton”
- Spelling as 'Stanton' or 'Stauton'. Using it as a general term for any chess set.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally yes, as it is a proper name, but in common chess parlance it is often lowercased (e.g., 'a staunton set'). Both are acceptable.
No, most official tournaments mandate the use of a Staunton-design set for clarity and standardisation.
Specific design features: a knight carved to look like a horse's head, a king topped with a cross, a queen with a coronet, and distinct, easily identifiable shapes for all pieces.
Extremely rarely. It is overwhelmingly a chess-specific term.
A specific design of chess pieces.
Staunton is usually formal, technical in register.
Staunton: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːntən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːntən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: STAUNdard TONnament pieces. STAUNTON.
Conceptual Metaphor
STANDARD IS A LANDMARK (The Staunton design is the benchmark against which others are measured).
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'Staunton' specifically refer to?