Definition: the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
Main entry: gambling, gaming, play
Definition: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
Usage: his gambling cost him a fortune; there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Main entry: child's play, play
Definition: activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
Usage: Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
Definition: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
Usage: it is my turn; it is still my play
Main entry: caper, frolic, gambol, romp, play
Definition: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
Usage: it was all done in play; their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
Main entry: maneuver, manoeuvre, play
Definition: a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
Usage: he made a great maneuver; the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
Main entry: play
Definition: a preset plan of action in team sports
Usage: the coach drew up the plays for her team
Definition: an attempt to get something
Usage: they made a futile play for power; he made a bid to gain attention
Main entry: play
Definition: utilization or exercise
Usage: the play of the imagination
Definition: movement or space for movement
Usage: there was too much play in the steering wheel
Definition: verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
Usage: he became a figure of fun; he said it in sport
Main entry: drama, dramatic play, play
Definition: a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
Usage: he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
Main entry: play
Definition: a theatrical performance of a drama
Usage: the play lasted two hours
Definition: a weak and tremulous light
Usage: the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers; the play of light on the water
Definition: the removal of constraints
Usage: he gave free rein to his impulses; they gave full play to the artist's talent
Main entry: play
Definition: a state in which action is feasible
Usage: the ball was still in play; insiders said the company's stock was in play
Main entry: period of play, play, playing period
Definition: (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
Usage: rain stopped play in the 4th inning
Definition: engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
Usage: They played games on their opponents; play the stock market; play with her feelings; toy with an idea
Definition: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Usage: He acted the idiot; She plays deaf when the news are bad
Main entry: play
Definition: exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
Usage: play a hooked fish
Main entry: trifle, dally, play
Definition: consider not very seriously
Usage: He is trifling with her; She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Main entry: play
Definition: participate in games or sport
Usage: We played hockey all afternoon; play cards; Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
Main entry: take on, encounter, meet, play
Definition: contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
Usage: Princeton plays Yale this weekend; Charlie likes to play Mary
Main entry: play
Definition: employ in a game or in a specific position
Usage: They played him on first base
Main entry: play
Definition: use or move
Usage: I had to play my queen
Main entry: play
Definition: shoot or hit in a particular manner
Usage: She played a good backhand last night
Main entry: play
Definition: bet or wager (money)
Usage: He played $20 on the new horse; She plays the races
Main entry: play
Definition: put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
Usage: He is playing his cards close to his chest; The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
Definition: stake on the outcome of an issue
Usage: I bet $100 on that new horse; She played all her money on the dark horse
Main entry: play
Definition: make bets
Usage: Play the races; play the casinos in Trouville
Main entry: play
Definition: use to one's advantage
Usage: She plays on her clients' emotions
Main entry: play
Definition: discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
Usage: play water from a hose; The fountains played all day
Main entry: fiddle, diddle, play, toy
Definition: manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
Usage: She played nervously with her wedding ring; Don't fiddle with the screws; He played with the idea of running for the Senate
Main entry: work, wreak, make for, play, bring
Definition: cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
Usage: I cannot work a miracle; wreak havoc; bring comments; play a joke; The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
Main entry: play
Definition: perform on a certain location
Usage: The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16; She has been playing on Broadway for years
Main entry: play
Definition: be performed or presented for public viewing
Usage: What's playing in the local movie theater?; `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
Definition: cause to emit recorded audio or video
Usage: They ran the tapes over and over again; I'll play you my favorite record; He never tires of playing that video
Main entry: play
Definition: emit recorded sound
Usage: The tape was playing for hours; the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
Main entry: represent, play, act
Definition: play a role or part
Usage: Gielgud played Hamlet; She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role; She played the servant to her husband's master
Main entry: act, play, playact, roleplay
Definition: perform on a stage or theater
Usage: She acts in this play; He acted in `Julius Caesar'; I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Main entry: play
Definition: pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
Usage: Let's play like I am mommy; Play cowboy and Indians
Definition: replay (as a melody)
Usage: Play it again, Sam; She played the third movement very beautifully
Main entry: play
Definition: play on an instrument
Usage: The band played all night long
Main entry: play
Definition: perform music on (a musical instrument)
Usage: He plays the flute; Can you play on this old recorder?
Main entry: play
Definition: move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
Usage: The spotlights played on the politicians
Main entry: play
Definition: cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
Usage: The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
Main entry: play
Definition: act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
Usage: This factor played only a minor part in his decision; This development played into her hands; I played no role in your dismissal
Definition: engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
Usage: On weekends I play; The students all recreate alike
Main entry: play
Definition: be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
Usage: The kids were playing outside all day; I used to play with trucks as a little girl
Main entry: dally, toy, flirt, play
Definition: behave carelessly or indifferently
Usage: Play about with a young girl's affection
Main entry: play
Definition: behave in a certain way
Usage: play safe; play it safe; play fair
Main entry: play
Definition: be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
Usage: This speech didn't play well with the American public; His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee