[place] n [ME, fr. OF, open space, fr. L platea broad street, fr. Gk plateia (hodos), fr. fem. of platys broad, flat; akin to Skt prthu broad, L planta sole of the foot] (13c) 1 a: physical environment: space b: a way for admission or transit c: physical surroundings: atmosphere
2. a: an indefinite region or expanse "all over the ~" b: a building or locality used for a special purpose "a ~ of learning" "a fine eating ~" c archaic: the three-dimensional compass of a material object 3 a: a particular region, center of population, or location "a nice ~ to visit" b: a building, part of a building, or area occupied as a home "our summer ~"
4: a particular part of a surface or body: spot
5: relative position in a scale or series: as a: position in a social scale "kept them in their ~" b: a step in a sequence "in the first ~, it's none of your business" c: a position at the conclusion of a competition "finished in last ~"
6. a: a proper or designated niche "the ~ of education in society" b: an appropriate moment or point "this is not the ~ to discuss compensation --Robert Moses"
7. a: an available seat or accommodation "needs a ~ to stay" b: an empty or vacated position "new ones will take their ~" 8: the position of a figure in relation to others of a row or series; esp: the position of a digit within a numeral
9. a: remunerative employment: job b: prestige accorded to one of high rank: status "an endless quest for preferment and ~ --Time" 10: a public square: plaza 11: a small street or court 12: second place at the finish (as of a horse race) -- in place 1: in an original or proper position
2: in the same spot without forward or backward movement "run in place"
[2]place vb placed ; plac.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to put in or as if in a particular place or position: set b: to present for consideration "a question placed before the group" c: to put in a particular state "~ a performer under contract" d: to direct to a desired spot e: to cause (the voice) to produce free and well resonated singing or speaking tones
2. a: to assign to a position in a series or category: rank b: estimate "placed the value of the estate too high" c: to identify by connecting with an associated context "couldn't quite ~ her face" "police placed them at the crime scene"
3: to distribute in an orderly manner: arrange
4: to appoint to a position
5: to find a place (as a home or employment) for
6. a: to give (an order) to a supplier b: to give an order for "~ a bet" c: to try to establish a connection for "~ a telephone call" ~ vi: to earn a given spot in a competition; specif: to come in second (as in a horse race) -- place.able adj