A domino is a flat, thumb-sized block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each bearing from one to six pips or dots. A complete set of dominoes has 28 such pieces. A series of games can be played with such a set, generally by matching the ends of pieces and laying them down in lines or angular patterns. The most basic Western games involve blocking or scoring, but there are many other variants based on arithmetic properties of the pips or by identifying tiles based on their pattern. Domino sets can also be used to play puzzle games, such as domino tiling or solitaire.
In Domino shows, builders create intricate and imaginative domino reactions in front of a live audience of fans. The joy of watching a carefully built line of hundreds, even thousands of dominoes, all toppling with the slightest nudge is mesmerizing. Similarly, the impact of an unfavorable event on a student can have long-lasting implications, well beyond the immediate situation.
The word domino is Latin for lord or master, and it is used in a number of contexts in the English language. The most common meaning in modern-day use is that something has an effect on others, especially someone who holds a position of authority. The word is also used to describe a domino effect in business, where one small event triggers a chain reaction that grows exponentially. The word can also be used to refer to a person or group of people who control an organization, whether as a leader or manager, or as a group that dominates a specific field.
Regardless of the precise origins of the game, dominoes have become an integral part of human culture throughout the world. They have been popular in schools and homes, served as a way to express feelings, and inspired famous artists. They have been incorporated into many religious and cultural practices, from the Aztec game of the dead to the Catholic ritual of the casket Mass.
Domino is also a popular name for babies, and it is also the name of an online service that allows users to order food delivery from restaurants in their area. It is a great example of a business that successfully leverages social media and the Internet to achieve its goals.
For writers, using the domino effect in plotting can be an effective tool for organizing scenes and building story structure. The idea is to think about what happens in a scene and then build the rest of the story around it, in a similar fashion to setting up a row of dominoes and then nudge them over with a single push. This method of planning a novel can be done on the fly or with careful outlining, but it should always include a clear sense of what happens next. Keeping track of the domino effect can make writing a story easier and more enjoyable, as well as helping a writer develop a more compelling narrative.