v.
1. tr. (also absol.) be agreeable to; make glad; give pleasure to (the gift will please them; anxious to please).
2 tr. (in passive) a (foll. by to + infin.) be glad or willing to (am pleased to help). b (often foll. by about, at, with) derive pleasure or satisfaction (from).
3 tr. (with it as subject; usu. foll. by to + infin.) be the inclination or wish of (it did not please them to attend).
4 intr. think fit; have the will or desire (take as many as you please).
5 tr. (short for may it please you) used in polite requests (come in, please).
Phrases and idioms:
if you please if you are willing, esp. iron. to indicate unreasonableness (then, if you please, we had to pay). pleased as Punch see PUNCH(4). please oneself do as one likes.
Derivatives:
pleased adj. pleasing adj. pleasingly adv.
Etymology: ME plaise f. OF plaisir f. L placere