I. ˈplāə(r), -le(ə)r, -leə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English pleyer, from Old English plegere, from plegan to play + -ere -er — more at play
1. : one that plays: as
a. : a person who occupies himself for diversion : one who engages in recreational activity or amuses himself
a player with illusion — L.A.Fiedler
b.
(1) : a person who plays in or makes a practice of playing a usually specified game
(2) : a person who undertakes to play against all others in various games (as skat)
c. : a person who plays on a musical instrument
d. : a person who makes a profession of acting : actor
e. Britain : a professional cricketer — compare gentleman 3d
f. : a mechanical device for automatically playing a musical instrument ; especially : piano player
g. : record player
2. : the ball to be played next in billiards, croquet, and similar games
II. noun
1. : a device that reproduces recorded material (as video images or music) from a usually specified medium
2. : one actively involved especially in a competitive field or process : participant