■ noun
1》 a particular position or point in space; a location.
↘ informal a person's home.
↘a point in a book reached by a reader at a particular time.
2》 a portion of space available or designated for someone.
↘a vacancy or available position: a ~ at university.
↘the regular or proper position of something: lay each slab in ~.
3》 a position in a sequence or hierarchy.
↘a person's rank or status.
↘a specific role or position: it's not my ~ to ask.
↘ Brit. any of the first three or sometimes four positions in a race.
↘ N. Amer. the second position, especially in a horse race.
4》 the position of a figure in a series indicated in decimal notation: calculate the ratios to one decimal ~.
5》 [in ~ names ] a square or short street.
■ verb
1》 put in a particular position.
2》 find an appropriate ~ or role for.
↘arrange for the implementation of (an order, bet, etc.).
↘order or obtain a connection for (a telephone call).
↘dispose of (something, especially shares) by selling.
3》 allocate or award a specified position in a sequence or hierarchy.
↘( be ~d ) Brit. achieve a specified position in a race.
↘be among the first three or four in a race (or the first three in the US).
4》 remember the relevant background of: she eventually said she couldn't ~ him.
5》 Rugby & American Football score (a goal) by a ~ kick.
Phrases
give ~ to be succeeded or re~d by.
go ~s informal
1》 travel.
2》 be increasingly successful.
in one's ~ in one's appropriate (but inferior) position or status.
in ~
1》 working or ready to work; established.
2》 N. Amer. on the spot; not travelling any distance.
in ~ of instead of.
out of ~ not in the proper position.
↘in a setting where one is or feels inappropriate or incongruous.
put oneself in another's ~ consider a situation from another's point of view.
put someone in their ~ deflate or humiliate someone regarded as being presumptuous.
take ~ occur.
take one's ~ take up one's usual or recognized position.
take the ~ of re~.
Derivatives
~less adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr., from an alt. of L. platea 'open space', from Gk plateia (hodos) 'broad (way)'.