Dominoes are rectangular blocks with clots on their faces. They are used to play a number of games.

Dominoes first appeared in Europe in the 18th century, in Italy and France, and they were brought to England by French prisoners.

But dominoes have been used in China for almost as long as playing cards.

Chinese dominoes were probably first designed to represent all the throws of two dice. The Chinese called them “dotted cards.”

According to one story, the playing pieces got their name from the Latin words of a prayer, Dixit Dominus Domineo Meo, since dominoes were once popular among monks.

But more likely, the name was taken from the domino, a black cloak worn by priests in France and Italy, because of the black color of the playing pieces.