[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

play \play\, 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
see also:
play actor play debt play pleasure a play upon words play of colors to bring into play 
to come into play to hold in play 

Play >> P Words
Play, definition of term: Play
play_pag1.html

Colors >> C Words
Colors, definition of term: Colors
colors_pag1.html

Play Back >> P Words
Play Back, definition of term: Play Back
play+back_pag1.html

Play Down >> P Words
Play Down, definition of term: Play Down
play+down_pag1.html

Passion Play >> P Words
Passion Play, definition of term: Passion Play
passion+play_pag1.html

Mystery Play >> M Words
Mystery Play, definition of term: Mystery Play
mystery+play_pag1.html

Miracle Play >> M Words
Miracle Play, definition of term: Miracle Play
miracle+play_pag1.html

Flying Colors >> F Words
Flying Colors, definition of term: Flying Colors
flying+colors_pag1.html

Foul Play >> F Words
Foul Play, definition of term: Foul Play
foul+play_pag1.html

Match Play >> M Words
Match Play, definition of term: Match Play
match+play_pag1.html

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