sphairistike

1. (sports, archaic) An early racquet sport that evolved into tennis.Examples: "The new appliances of the game sold under the rather too learned name of ‘sphairistikè’ have been lightened without, like their ancient representatives, being increased in size."; "He observed that a wholesaler who supplied my grandfather with goods continued to advertise the implements of a new game, called "Sphairistike.""; "At that time, he had not given a thought to his new game, and, as a consequence, the pastures around Rhysnant Hall are not likely to have been the place where the Major would have pitched his sphairistikè nets."Synonyms: stickéarchaicuncountable