Inside the Universes

Words with a similar base: child's_play, dramatic_play, period_of_play, play, playact, playing_period, roleplay, swordplay

'play'

[play.n.01] as in: a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Examples:
he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

'play'

[play.n.02] as in: a theatrical performance of a drama

Examples:
the play lasted two hours

'play'

[play.n.03] as in: a preset plan of action in team sports

Examples:
the coach drew up the plays for her team

'play'

[maneuver.n.03] as in: a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Examples:
he made a great maneuver
the runner was out on a play by the shortstop

'play'

[play.n.05] as in: a state in which action is feasible

Examples:
the ball was still in play
insiders said the company's stock was in play

'play'

[play.n.06] as in: utilization or exercise

Examples:
the play of the imagination

'play'

[bid.n.02] as in: an attempt to get something

Examples:
they made a futile play for power
he made a bid to gain attention

'play'

[play.n.08] as in: activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Examples:
Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

'play'

[playing_period.n.01] as in: (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

Examples:
rain stopped play in the 4th inning

'play'

[free_rein.n.01] as in: the removal of constraints

Examples:
he gave free rein to his impulses
they gave full play to the artist's talent

'play'

[shimmer.n.01] as in: a weak and tremulous light

Examples:
the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
the play of light on the water

'play'

[fun.n.02] as in: verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

Examples:
he became a figure of fun
he said it in sport

'play'

[looseness.n.05] as in: movement or space for movement

Examples:
there was too much play in the steering wheel

'play'

[play.n.14] as in: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Examples:
it was all done in play
their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly

'play'

[turn.n.03] as in: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Examples:
it is my turn
it is still my play

'play'

[gambling.n.01] as in: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

Examples:
his gambling cost him a fortune
there was heavy play at the blackjack table

'play'

[play.n.17] as in: the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

'play'

[play.v.01] as in: participate in games or sport

Examples:
We played hockey all afternoon
play cards
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches

'play'

[play.v.02] as in: act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Examples:
This factor played only a minor part in his decision
This development played into her hands
I played no role in your dismissal

'play'

[play.v.03] as in: play on an instrument

Examples:
The band played all night long

'play'

[act.v.03] as in: play a role or part

Examples:
Gielgud played Hamlet
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She played the servant to her husband's master

'play'

[play.v.05] as in: be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

Examples:
The kids were playing outside all day
I used to play with trucks as a little girl

'play'

[play.v.06] as in: replay (as a melody)

Examples:
Play it again, Sam
She played the third movement very beautifully

'play'

[play.v.07] as in: perform music on (a musical instrument)

Examples:
He plays the flute
Can you play on this old recorder?

'play'

[act.v.05] as in: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Examples:
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad

'play'

[play.v.09] as in: move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

Examples:
The spotlights played on the politicians

'play'

[play.v.10] as in: bet or wager (money)

Examples:
He played $20 on the new horse
She plays the races

'play'

[play.v.11] as in: engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

Examples:
On weekends I play
The students all recreate alike

'play'

[play.v.12] as in: pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Examples:
Let's play like I am mommy
Play cowboy and Indians

'play'

[play.v.13] as in: emit recorded sound

Examples:
The tape was playing for hours
the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered

'play'

[play.v.14] as in: perform on a certain location

Examples:
The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
She has been playing on Broadway for years

'play'

[play.v.15] as in: put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

Examples:
He is playing his cards close to his chest
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory

'play'

[play.v.16] as in: engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Examples:
They played games on their opponents
play the stock market
play with her feelings
toy with an idea

'play'

[play.v.17] as in: behave in a certain way

Examples:
play safe
play it safe
play fair

'play'

[play.v.18] as in: cause to emit recorded audio or video

Examples:
They ran the tapes over and over again
I'll play you my favorite record
He never tires of playing that video

'play'

[toy.v.02] as in: manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

Examples:
She played nervously with her wedding ring
Don't fiddle with the screws
He played with the idea of running for the Senate

'play'

[play.v.20] as in: use to one's advantage

Examples:
She plays on her clients' emotions

'play'

[dally.v.04] as in: consider not very seriously

Examples:
He is trifling with her
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

'play'

[play.v.22] as in: be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

Examples:
This speech didn't play well with the American public
His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee

'play'

[dally.v.01] as in: behave carelessly or indifferently

Examples:
Play about with a young girl's affection

'play'

[play.v.24] as in: cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

Examples:
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack

'play'

[act.v.10] as in: perform on a stage or theater

Examples:
She acts in this play
He acted in `Julius Caesar'
I played in `A Christmas Carol'

'play'

[play.v.26] as in: be performed or presented for public viewing

Examples:
What's playing in the local movie theater?
`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years

'play'

[bring.v.03] as in: cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

Examples:
I cannot work a miracle
wreak havoc
bring comments
play a joke
The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area

'play'

[play.v.28] as in: discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

Examples:
play water from a hose
The fountains played all day

'play'

[play.v.29] as in: make bets

Examples:
Play the races
play the casinos in Trouville

'play'

[bet.v.02] as in: stake on the outcome of an issue

Examples:
I bet $100 on that new horse
She played all her money on the dark horse

'play'

[play.v.31] as in: shoot or hit in a particular manner

Examples:
She played a good backhand last night

'play'

[play.v.32] as in: use or move

Examples:
I had to play my queen

'play'

[play.v.33] as in: employ in a game or in a specific position

Examples:
They played him on first base

'play'

[meet.v.10] as in: contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

Examples:
Princeton plays Yale this weekend
Charlie likes to play Mary

'play'

[play.v.35] as in: exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

Examples:
play a hooked fish

Origins

					play (English)
├── playen (Middle English (1100-1500))
└── pleye (Middle English (1100-1500))
    └── plæg (Old English (ca. 450-1100))