noun amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.
2. play ·noun performance on an instrument of music.
3. play ·noun to act on the stage; to personate a character.
4. play ·vt to keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
5. play ·vt to perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.
6. play ·noun to perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.
7. play ·noun any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.
8. play ·noun to move gayly; to wanton; to disport.
9. play ·noun the representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.
10. play ·noun to act; to behave; to practice deception.
11. play ·noun action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit.
12. play ·noun to act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.
13. play ·vt to put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.
14. play ·vt to perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.
15. play ·noun hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.
xvi. play ·noun to contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.
xvii. play ·noun a dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.
xviii. play ·vt to bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.
xix. play ·vt to engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.
xx. play ·noun motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.
xxi. play ·noun the act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.
xxii. play ·noun to engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.
xxiii. play ·noun to move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.
xxiv. play ·vt to act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play king lear; to play the woman.