play
     n 1: a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a
          stage; "he wrote several plays but only one was produced
          on Broadway" [syn: {drama}, {dramatic play}]
     2: a theatrical performance of a drama; "the play lasted two
        hours"
     3: a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up
        the plays for her team"
     4: a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and
        skill; "he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on
        a play by the shortstop" [syn: {maneuver}, {manoeuvre}]
     5: a state in which action is feasible; "the ball was still in
        play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
     6: utilization or exercise; "the play of the imagination"
     7: an attempt to get something; "they made a futile play for
        power"; "he made a bid to gain attention" [syn: {bid}]
     8: play by children that is guided more by imagination than by
        fixed rules; "Freud believed in the utility of play to a
        small child" [syn: {child's play}]
     9: (in games or plays or other performances) the time during
        which play proceeds; "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
        [syn: {playing period}, {period of play}]
     10: the removal of constraints; "he gave free rein to his
         impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
         [syn: {free rein}]
     11: a weak and tremulous light; "the shimmer of colors on
         iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"
         [syn: {shimmer}]
     12: verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken
         seriously); "he became a figure of fun" [syn: {fun}, {sport}]
     13: movement or space for movement; "there was too much play in
         the steering wheel" [syn: {looseness}] [ant: {tightness}]
     14: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or
         amusement; "it was all done in play"; "their frolic in
         the surf threatened to become ugly" [syn: {frolic}, {romp},
          {gambol}, {caper}]
     15: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning
         (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a
         prize); "his gambling cost him a fortune"; "there was
         heavy play at the blackjack table" [syn: {gambling}, {gaming}]
     16: the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it
         is my turn"; "it is still my play" [syn: {turn}]
     17: the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and
         skillfully [syn: {swordplay}]
     v 1: participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all
          afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian
          teams in many important matches"
     2: act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific
        effect or outcome; "This factor played only a minor part
        in his decision"; "This development played into her
        hands"; "I played no role in your dismissal"
     3: play on an instrument; "The band played all night long"
     4: play a role or part; "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" [syn: {act}, {represent}]
     5: be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in
        a way characteristic of children; "The kids were playing
        outside all day"; "I used to play with trucks as a little
        girl"
     6: replay (as a melody); "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the
        third movement very beautifully" [syn: {spiel}]
     7: perform music on (a musical instrument); "He plays the
        flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
     8: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He
        acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
        [syn: {act}, {act as}]
     9: move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; "The
        spotlights played on the politicians"
     10: bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She
         plays the races"
     11: engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy
         oneself in a diversion; "On weekends I play"; "The
         students all recreate alike" [syn: {recreate}]
     12: pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful
         activity; "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and
         Indians"
     13: emit recorded sound; "The tape was playing for hours"; "the
         stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
     14: perform on a certain location; "The prodigy played Carnegie
         Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway
         for years"
     15: put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act
         strategically as if in a card game; "He is playing his
         cards close to his chest"; "The Democrats still have some
         cards to play before they will concede the electoral
         victory"
     16: engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take
         it seriously; "They played games on their opponents";
         "play the stockmarket"; "play with her feelings"; "toy
         with an idea" [syn: {toy}]
     17: behave in a certain way; "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play
         fair"
     18: cause to emit recorded sounds; "They ran the tapes over and
         over again"; "Can you play my favorite record?" [syn: {run}]
     19: manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination; "She
         played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle
         with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for
         the Senate" [syn: {toy}, {fiddle}, {diddle}]
     20: use to one's advantage; "She plays on her clients' emotions"
     21: consider not very seriously; "He is trifling with her"; "She
         plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania" [syn: {dally},
          {trifle}]
     22: be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way;
         "This speech didn't play well with the American public";
         "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
     23: behave carelessly or indifferently; "Play about with a young
         girl's affection" [syn: {dally}, {toy}, {flirt}]
     24: cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space; "The
         engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
     25: perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He
         acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas
         Carol'" [syn: {act}, {roleplay}, {playact}]
     26: be performed; "What's playing in the local movie theater?";
         "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
     27: cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; "I cannot work
         a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a
         joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken
         area" [syn: {bring}, {work}, {wreak}, {make for}]
     28: discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a
         continuous stream; "play water from a hose"; "The
         fountains played all day"
     29: make bets; "Play the reaces"; "play the casinos in
         Trouville"
     30: stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new
         horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
         [syn: {bet}, {wager}]
     31: shoot or hit in a particular manner; "She played a good
         backhand last night"
     32: use or move; "I had to play my queen"
     33: employ in a game or in a specific position; "They played him
         on first base"
     34: contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;
         "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to
         play Mary" [syn: {meet}, {encounter}, {take on}]
     35: exhaust by allowing to pull on the line; "play a hooked
         fish"
Source: WordNet® 2.0