–noun

1.	a dramatic composition or piece; drama.

2.	a dramatic performance, as on the stage.

3.	exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.

4.	fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play.

5.

a pun.

6.	the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play.

7.	the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game.

8.	an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match.

9.	one's turn to play: Whose play is it?

10.	a playing for stakes; gambling.

11.	an attempt to accomplish something, often in a manner showing craft or calculation; maneuver: They tried to buy up the stock in a takeover play.

12.	an enterpri 3e8 se or venture; deal: an oil and drilling play.

13.	action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind: fair play; foul play.

14.	action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy.

15.	brisk, light, or changing movement or action: a fountain with a leaping play of water.

16.	elusive change or movement, as of light or colors: the play of a searchlight against the night sky.

17.	a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move.

18.	freedom of movement within a space, as of a part of a mechanism.

19.	freedom for action, or scope for activity: full play of the mind.

20.	attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news: The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers.

21.	an act or instance of being broadcast: The governor's speech got two plays on our local station.

–verb (used with object)

22.	to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray: to play Lady Macbeth.

23.	to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.) on or as if on the stage.

24.	to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life: to play the role of benefactor.

25.	to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool; to play God.

26.	to give performances in, as a theatrical company does: to play the larger cities.

27.	to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.).

28.	to contend against in a game.

29.	to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition: He usually plays left end.

30.	to employ (a piece of equipment, a player, etc.) in a game: I played my highest card.

31.	13d9 to use as if in playing a game, as for one's own advantage: He played his brothers against each other.

32.	to stake or wager, as in a game.

33.	to lay a wager or wagers on (something).

34.	to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest: to play cowboys and Indians.

35.	to perform on (a musical instrument).

36.	to perform (music) on an instrument.

37.	to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures: to play a tape; to play the radio.

38.	to do or perform: You shouldn't play tricks. Compromise plays an important part in marriage.

39.	to carry or put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch.

40.	to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play colored lights on a fountain.

41.	to operate or cause to operate, esp. continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire.

42.	to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line.

43.	to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), esp. prominently: Play the flood photos on page one.

44.	to exploit or trade in (an investment, business opportunity, stock, etc.).

–verb (used without object)

45.	to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation.

46.	to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously.

47.	to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often fol. by with).

48.	to take part or engage in a game.

49.	to take part in a game for stakes; gamble.

50.	to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair.

51.	to act on or as if on the stage; perform.

52.	to perform on a musical instrument.

53.	(of an instrument or music) to sound in performance: The strings are playing well this evening.

54.	(of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound: The radio played all night.

55.	to be performed or shown: What's playing at the movie theater around the corner?

56.	to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script: We hope this scene will play well.

57.	Informal. to be accepted or effective; fare: 3e8 How will the senator's proposal play with the public?

58.	to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism.

59.	to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air.

60.	to present the effect of such motion, as light or the changing colors of an iridescent substance: The lights played strangely over the faces of the actors.

61.	to operate continuously or with repeated action.

62.	Informal. to comply or cooperate: They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play.

—Verb phrases

63.	play along, a. to cooperate or concur; go along. b. to pretend to cooperate or concur.

64.	play around, Informal. a. to behave in a playful or frivolous manner; fool around. b. to be sexually promiscuous. c. to be sexually unfaithful.

65.	play at, a. to pretend interest in: It's obvious that you're just playing at fishing for my sake. b. to do something without seriousness: He is merely playing at being a student. 17d0

66.	play back, to play (a recording, esp. one newly made): Play it back and let's hear how I sound.

67.	play down, to treat as of little importance; belittle: He has consistently played down his own part in the successful enterprise.

68.

play off, a. Sports. to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie. b. Sports. to engage in an elimination game or games after the regular season is over in order to determine the champion. c. to set (one person or thing) against another, usually for one's own gain or advantage: The children could usually get what they wanted by playing one parent off against the other.

69.	play on or upon, to exploit, as the feelings or weaknesses of another; take selfish advantage of: She would never think of playing on the good nature of others.

70.	play out, a. to bring to an end; finish. b. to use up; exhaust: to play out one's supplies. c. to reel or pay out, as a rope, line, etc.

71.	play up, to emphasize the importance of; highlight or publicize: The schools are playing up their science programs.

—Idioms

72.	bring into play, to put into motion; cause to be introduced: New evidence has been brought into play in this trial.

73.	come to play, Informal. to be disposed to play or participate in a manner reflecting a determination to win or succeed: We're a small new business, but we came to play.

74.	in or out of play, in or not in the state of being played during a game: The umpire says the ball was not in play.

75.	make a play for, Informal. a. to try to attract, esp. sexually: He made a play for his friend's girlfriend. b. to attempt to gain by impressing favorably: This ad will make a play for new consumer markets.

76.	play ball. ball1 (def. 23).

77.	play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself.

78.	play by ear, to play (music or a musical instrument) without printed music, as by memory of what one has heard or by unschooled musical instinct.

79.	played out, a. exhausted; weary. b. out of fashion; hackneyed: New styles in clothing are soon played out in New York. c. used up; finished: The original tires were played out and had to be replaced.

< 768 td valign="top">play fast and loose, to act in an irresponsible or inconsiderate manner, esp. to employ deception to gain one's ends: to play fast and loose with someone's affections.

80.

81.	play for time, to prolong something in order to gain an advantage; forestall an event or decision: Their maneuvering at the conference was obviously calculated to play for time.

82.	play hardball. hardball (def. 4).

83.	play into the hands of, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone, esp. an opponent): If you lose your temper when he insults you, you will be playing right into his hands. Also, play into (someone's) hands.

84.	play it by ear, to improvise, esp. in a challenging situation when confronted by unknown factors: If you can't come up with a plan, we'll just have to play it by ear.

85.	play one's cards. card1 (def. 21).

86.	play politics. politics (def. 8).

87.	play possum. possum (def. 3).

88.	play second fiddle. second fiddle (def. 1).

89.	play the field. field (def. 39).

90.	play the game. game1 (def. 23).

91.	play up to, Informal. to attempt to impress in order to gain someone's favor: Students who too obviously play up to their teachers are usually disliked by their classmates.

92.	play with a full deck. deck (def. 23).

93.	play with fire. fire (def. 54).

94.	play with oneself, Informal. to masturbate.

–noun

1.	a short, leather-covered club, consisting of a heavy head on a flexible handle, used as a weapon.

2.	Cards. a. twenty-one (def. 4). b. Also called natural. (in twenty-one) an ace together with a ten or a face card as the first two cards dealt. c. a variety of twenty-one in which any player can become dealer.

3.	black flag (defs. 1, 2).

4.	a small oak, Quercus marilandica, of the eastern U.S., having a nearly black bark and a wood of little value except for fuel.

5.	a large drinking cup or jug for beer, ale, etc., originally made of leather coated externally with tar. Compare bombard (def. 7).

6.	caramel or burnt sugar for colorin 3e8 g spirits, vinegar, coffee, etc.

7.	Mineralogy. a dark, iron-rich variety of sphalerite.

–verb (used with object)

8.	to strike or beat with a blackjack.

9.	to compel by threat.

–adjective

1.	operating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main computer.

2.	connected by computer to one or more other computers or networks, as through a commercial electronic information service or the Internet.

f5e

3.	of or denoting a business that transmits electronic information over telecommunications lines: an on-line bookstore.

4.	available or operating on a computer or computer network: an on-line dictionary.

5.	by means of or using a computer: on-line shopping.

6.	Radio. (of a network) supplying affiliated stations with all or a substantial part of their programming.

7.	Television. of or pertaining to the final editing of a videotaped program.

8.	done or accomplished while in operation or active service: on-line maintenance.

9.	located on major routes or rail lines: on-line industries.

–adverb

10.	with or through a computer, esp. over a network.

–adjective

1.	enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people.

2.	pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty: They were thankful to be living on free soil.

3.	existing under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government: the free nations of the world.

4.	enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent.

5.	ex 211 empt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted.

6.	able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose.

7.	clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor: Th dc5 e highway is now free of fallen rock.

8.	not occupied or in use: I'll try to phone her again if the line is free.

9.	exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or of): free from worry; free of taxes.

10.	having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by from): free from danger.

11.	provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.

12.	given without consideration of a return or reward: a free offer of legal advice.

13.	unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift.

14.	not held fast; loose; unattached: to get one's arm free.

15.	not joined to or in contact with something else: The free end of the cantilever sagged.

16.	acting without self-restraint or reserve: to be too free with one's tongue.

17.	ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish: to be free with one's advice.

18.	given readily or in profusion; unstinted.

19.	frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar.

20.	unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious: free behavior.

21.	not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.: The ship was given free passage.

22.	of, pertaining to, or characterized by free enterprise: a free economy.

23.	that may be used by or is open to all: a free market.

24.	engaged in by all present; general: a free fight.

25.	not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose.

26.	uncombined chemically: free oxygen.

27.	traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity or inertia: free flight.

28.	Phonetics. (of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to checked).

29.	at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by of): to be free of a friend's house.

30.	not subject to rules, set forms, etc.: The young students had an hour of free play between classes.

31.	easily worked, as stone, land, etc.

32.	Mathematics. (of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction but no specified initial point. Compare bound1 (def. 9).

33.	Also, large. Nautical. (of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that a sailing vessel may sail free.

34.	not containing a specified substance (often used in combination): a sugar-free soft drink.

35.	(of a linguistic form) occurring as an independent construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most words. Compare bound1 (def. 11).

36.	without cost, payment, or charge.

–adverb

37.	in a free manner; freely.

38.	Nautical. away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled: running free.

–verb (used with object)

39.	to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint.

40.	to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from).

41.	to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of): to free oneself of responsibility.

42.	to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of).

—Verb phrase

43.	free up, a. to release, as from restrictions: Congress voted to free up funds for the new highway system.
b.	to disentangle: It took an hour to free up the traffic jam.