wild·card or
wild card (wīld
kärd
)
n.► Games. A playing card whose value can vary as determined by its holder.
► Sports. An athlete or team selected to compete in a tournament or playoff from among those who did not qualify by meeting the regular requirements.
► Computer Science. A symbol that stands for one or more unspecified characters, used especially in searching text and in selecting multiple files or directories.
► Slang. An unpredictable or unforeseeable factor:
A surprise witness proved to be the wild card at the trial. [TahlilGaran] American Dictionary ▲