*play*

n. Action carried on aside, and commonly in dumb show, while the main action proceeds. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. an electronic device containing a laser, used to read or play back the data on a compact disk. The term is usually used for the type of device used to play music recordings. That used for data storgage n coputer applications is usually called a CD drive. Called also CD player and informally, CD.
Syn. -- CD player. [ PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Displayed p. pr. & vb. n. Displaying. ] [ OE. displaien, desplaien, OF. despleier, desploier, F. déployer; pref. des- (L. dis-) + pleier, ploier, plier, F. ployer, plier, to fold, bend, L. plicare. See Ply, and cf. Deploy, Splay. ] 1. To unfold; to spread wide; to expand; to stretch out; to spread. [ 1913 Webster ]

The northern wind his wings did broad display. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) To extend the front of (a column), bringing it into line. Farrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To spread before the view; to show; to exhibit to the sight, or to the mind; to make manifest. [ 1913 Webster ]

His statement . . . displays very clearly the actual condition of the army. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To make an exhibition of; to set in view conspicuously or ostentatiously; to exhibit for the sake of publicity; to parade. [ 1913 Webster ]

Proudly displaying the insignia of their order. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Print.) To make conspicuous by large or prominent type. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To discover; to descry. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And from his seat took pleasure to display
The city so adorned with towers. Chapman.

7. (Computers) To output (results or data) in a visible manner on the screen of a monitor, CRT, or other device. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- To exhibit; show; manifest; spread out; parade; expand; flaunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make a display; to act as one making a show or demonstration. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. An opening or unfolding; exhibition; manifestation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Having witnessed displays of his power and grace. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Ostentatious show; exhibition for effect; parade. [ 1913 Webster ]

He died, as erring man should die,
Without display, without parade. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Electronics) An electronic device on which the output signal of another electronic device may be presented in a visual form; -- also called display device. Typically the display device it is the screen of a cathode-ray tube, as in a computer monitor, but other forms of visual display such as LED or liquid crystal devices are also used. The printed output from a computer or other device is not considered as a display. [ PJC ]

4. (Computers) The output signal from a computer program, displayed on a display device. The displayed signal may consist of letters, numbers, or any graphical image. [ PJC ]

5. (Biology) a pattern of behavior, such as showing a body part to another animal, by which one animal conveys information to another, as for mating or defense. [ PJC ]

a. 1. Unfolded; expanded; exhibited conspicuously or ostentatiously. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Her.) With wings expanded; -- said of a bird of prey, esp. an eagle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Print.) Set with lines of prominent type interspersed, to catch the eye. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, displays. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An instance of the firing of small arms with the intent to kill or frighten.
Syn. -- gunfight. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Rude, boisterous play. [ 1913 Webster ]

Too much given to horseplay in his raillery. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Mutual action or influence; interaction; as, the interplay of affection. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. same as long-playing.
Syn. -- long-playing. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. playing at a slower speed and for a longer time than earlier records; -- used of phonograph records.
Syn. -- long-play, LP. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

. (Golf) Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the holes won or lost by each side; -- distinguished from medal play. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Golf) Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the number of strokes. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To excel or defeat in a game; to play better than; as, to be outplayed in tennis or ball. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A play for representation or exhibition by moving pictures; also, the moving-picture representation of a play. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Played p. pr. & vb. n. Playing. ] [ OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G. pflegen; of unknown origin. √28. Cf. Plight, n. ] 1. To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot. [ 1913 Webster ]

As Cannace was playing in her walk. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day,
Had he thy reason, would he skip and play! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

And some, the darlings of their Lord,
Play smiling with the flame and sword. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless. [ 1913 Webster ]

“Nay, ” quod this monk, “I have no lust to pleye.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men are apt to play with their healths. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute. [ 1913 Webster ]

One that . . . can play well on an instrument. Ezek. xxxiii. 32. [ 1913 Webster ]

Play, my friend, and charm the charmer. Granville. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To act; to behave; to practice deception. [ 1913 Webster ]

His mother played false with a smith. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays. [ 1913 Webster ]

The heart beats, the blood circulates, the lungs play. Cheyne. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To move gayly; to wanton; to disport. [ 1913 Webster ]

Even as the waving sedges play with wind. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The setting sun
Plays on their shining arms and burnished helmets. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

All fame is foreign but of true desert,
Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. To act on the stage; to personate a character. [ 1913 Webster ]

A lord will hear your play to-night. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Courts are theaters where some men play. Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

To play into a person's hands, to act, or to manage matters, to his advantage or benefit. --
To play off, to affect; to feign; to practice artifice. --
To play upon. (a) To make sport of; to deceive. [ 1913 Webster ] Art thou alive?
Or is it fantasy that plays upon our eyesight. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] (b) To use in a droll manner; to give a droll expression or application to; as, to play upon words. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump. [ 1913 Webster ]

First Peace and Silence all disputes control,
Then Order plays the soul. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nature here
Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will
Her virgin fancies. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it. [ 1913 Webster ]

To play hob, to play the part of a mischievous spirit; to work mischief. --
To play off, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as, to play off tricks. --
To play one's cards, to manage one's means or opportunities; to contrive. --
Played out, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's resources. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game. [ 1913 Webster ]

John naturally loved rough play. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit. “The next who comes in play.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action. [ 1913 Webster ]

A play ought to be a just image of human nature. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Performance on an instrument of music. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action. “To give them play, front and rear.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The joints are let exactly into one another, that they have no play between them. Moxon. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Play actor, an actor of dramas. Prynne. --
Play debt, a gambling debt. Arbuthnot. --
Play pleasure, idle amusement. [ Obs. ] Bacon. --
A play upon words, the use of a word in such a way as to be capable of double meaning; punning. --
Play of colors, prismatic variation of colors. --
To bring into play,
To come into play, to bring or come into use or exercise. --
To hold in play, to keep occupied or employed. [ 1913 Webster ]

I, with two more to help me,
Will hold the foe in play. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Sp. ] A beach; a strand; in the plains and deserts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, a broad, level spot, on which subsequently becomes dry by evaporation. Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To perform on a stage or theater.
Syn. -- act, play, roleplay. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A printed programme of a play, with the parts assigned to the actors. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A book of dramatic compositions; a book of the play. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A day given to play or diversion; a holiday. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who plays, or amuses himself; one without serious aims; an idler; a trifler. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who plays any game. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A dramatic actor. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. One who plays on an instrument of music. “A cunning player on a harp.” 1 Sam. xvi. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A gamester; a gambler. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A mechanically operated piano that uses a roll of perforated paper to activate the keys.
Syn. -- mechanical piano, Pianola. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A companion in amusements or sports; a playmate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Play + 1st fere. ] A playfellow. [ Obs. ] [ Also, playfeer, playphere. ] Holinsheld. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Sportive; gamboling; frolicsome; indulging a sportive fancy; humorous; merry; as, a playful child; a playful writer. -- Play"ful*ly, adv. -- Play"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Play of children. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who frequents playhouses, or attends dramatic performances. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Frequenting playhouses; as, the playgoing public. -- n. The practice of going to plays. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A piece of ground used for recreation; as, the playground of a school. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. pleghūs. ] 1. A building used for dramatic exhibitions; a theater. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A house for children to play in; a toyhouse. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. & vb. n. of Play. [ 1913 Webster ]

Playing cards. See under Card. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A playwright. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A companion in diversions; a playfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Playful; wanton; sportive. [ R. ] R. Browning. -- Play"some*ness, n. [R.] [1913 Webster]

n. (Naut.) See Pleyt. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A thing to play with; a toy; anything that serves to amuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

A child knows his nurse, and by degrees the playthings of a little more advanced age. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Time for play or diversion. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A maker or adapter of plays. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A writer of plays; a dramatist; a playwright. Lecky. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ etc. } One that starts from the scratch; hence, one of first-rate ability. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ Abbrev. of display. ] 1. To display; to spread. [ Obs. ] “Our ensigns splayed.” Gascoigne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To dislocate, as a shoulder bone. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To spay; to castrate. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To turn on one side; to render oblique; to slope or slant, as the side of a door, window, etc. Oxf. Gloss. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Displayed; spread out; turned outward; hence, flat; ungainly; as, splay shoulders. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sonwthing splay, something blunt-edged, unhandy, and infelicitous. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Arch.) A slope or bevel, especially of the sides of a door or window, by which the opening is made larged at one face of the wall than at the other, or larger at each of the faces than it is between them. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Splayfeet A foot that is abnormally flattened and spread out; flat foot. [ 1913 Webster ]