~ 1
■ noun
1》 an activity engaged in for amusement.
↘the equipment used in playing a board ~, computer ~, etc.
2》 a form of competitive activity or sport played according to rules.
↘( ~s ) a meeting for sporting contests.
↘( ~s ) Brit. athletics or sports as a lesson or activity at school.
3》 a complete episode or period of play, ending in a final result.
↘a single portion of play, forming a scoring unit within a ~.
4》 informal a type of activity or business regarded as a ~: the dating ~.
↘a secret plan or trick: I was on to his little ~.
5》 wild mammals or birds hunted for sport or food.
↘the flesh of these, as food.
■ adjective eager and willing to do something new or challenging: they were ~ for anything.
■ verb
1》 [as noun gaming ] playing at ~s of chance for money.
2》 play video or computer ~s.
Phrases
ahead of the ~ ahead of one's competitors or peers.
beat someone at their own ~ use someone's own methods to outdo them.
the ~ is up the deception or crime is revealed or foiled.
~ over informal said when a situation is regarded as hopeless.
on the ~ Brit. informal working as a prostitute.
play the ~ behave in a fair or honourable way.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
~ster noun
Origin
OE ~n 'amusement, fun', ~nian 'play, amuse oneself', of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ adjective dated (of a person's leg) lame.
Origin
C18: orig. dialect, of unknown origin.