Inside the Universes

Words with a similar base: playing

'playing'

[playing.n.01] as in: the act of playing a musical instrument

'playing'

[playing.n.02] as in: the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation

'playing'

[acting.n.01] as in: the performance of a part or role in a drama

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
The band played all night long

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

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

'playing'

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

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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
The spotlights played on the politicians

'playing'

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

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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
play safe
play it safe
play fair

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
She plays on her clients' emotions

'playing'

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

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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
Play about with a young girl's affection

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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'

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
Play the races
play the casinos in Trouville

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
She played a good backhand last night

'playing'

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

Examples:
I had to play my queen

'playing'

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

Examples:
They played him on first base

'playing'

[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

'playing'

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

Examples:
play a hooked fish

Origins

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