Definition of 'diabolo' 1. a game in which a toplike object is spun, thrown, and caught by or balanced on and whirled along a string the ends of which are fastened to the ends of two sticks that are manipulated by hand. 2. the top used in this game.

He gave the caps their conical shape and made official the name diabolo, a play on words between "devil" and the Greek verb "diabállô" dia - bállô, literally "throw across". The game becomes increasingly popular through regular competitions.

The diabolo (/diːˈæbəloʊ/ dee-AB-ə-loh; commonly misspelled diablo) is a juggling or circus prop consisting of an axle (British English: bobbin) and two cups (hourglass/egg timer shaped) or discs derived from the Chinese yo-yo.

Chinese yo-yos have a longer axle with discs on either end, while the diabolo has a very short axle and larger, round cups on either end. Diabolos are made of different materials and come in different sizes and weights.