[game] n [ME, fr. OE gamen; akin to OHG gaman amusement] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): activity engaged in for diversion or amusement: play (2): the equipment for a game b: often derisive or mocking jesting: fun, sport "make ~ of a nervous player"
2. a: a procedure or strategy for gaining an end: tactic b: an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver: racket 3 a (1): a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules with the participants in direct opposition to each other (2): a division of a larger contest (3): the number of points necessary to win (4): points scored in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose cards count up the highest (5): the manner of playing in a contest (6): the set of rules governing a game (7): a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport "a football team's kicking ~" b pl: organized athletics c (1): a field of gainful activity: line "the newspaper ~" (2): any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle "the dating ~" "the ~ of politics"; also: the course or period of such an activity "got into aviation early in the ~" (3): area of expertise: specialty 3 "comedy is not my ~"
4. a (1): animals under pursuit or taken in hunting; esp: wild animals hunted for sport or food (2): the flesh of game animals b archaic: pluck c: a target or object esp. of ridicule or attack--often used in the phrase fair game syn see fun -- game.like adj
[2]game vb gamed ; gam.ing vi (1529): to play for a stake ~ vt, archaic: to lose or squander by gambling [3]game adj (1610) 1 a: having or showing a resolute unyielding spirit "~ to the end" b: willing or ready to proceed "were ~ for anything"
2: of or relating to game "~ laws" -- game.ly adv -- game.ness n [4]game adj [origin unknown] (ca. 1787): lame "a ~ leg"