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play

  • n  a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
    he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
  • n  a theatrical performance of a drama
    the play lasted two hours
  • n  a preset plan of action in team sports
    the coach drew up the plays for her team
  • n  a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
    the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
  • n  a state in which action is feasible
    the ball was still in play
    insiders said the company's stock was in play
  • n  utilization or exercise
    the play of the imagination
  • n  an attempt to get something
    they made a futile play for power
  • n  activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
    Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
  • n  (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
    rain stopped play in the 4th inning
  • n  the removal of constraints
    they gave full play to the artist's talent
  • n  a weak and tremulous light
    the play of light on the water
  • n  verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
  • n  movement or space for movement
    there was too much play in the steering wheel
  • n  gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
    it was all done in play
  • n  (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
    it is still my play
  • n  the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
    there was heavy play at the blackjack table
  • n  the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
  • v  participate in games or sport
    We played hockey all afternoon
    play cards
    Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
  • v  act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
    This factor played only a minor part in his decision
    This development played into her hands
    I played no role in your dismissal
  • v  play on an instrument
    The band played all night long
  • v  play a role or part
    Gielgud played Hamlet
    She played the servant to her husband's master
  • v  be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
    The kids were playing outside all day
    I used to play with trucks as a little girl
  • v  replay (as a melody)
    She played the third movement very beautifully
  • v  perform music on (a musical instrument)
    He plays the flute
    Can you play on this old recorder?
  • v  pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
    She plays deaf when the news are bad
  • v  move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
    The spotlights played on the politicians
  • v  bet or wager (money)
    He played $20 on the new horse
    She plays the races
  • v  engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
    On weekends I play
  • v  pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
    Let's play like I am mommy
  • v  emit recorded sound
    The tape was playing for hours
    the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
  • v  perform on a certain location
    The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
    She has been playing on Broadway for years
  • v  put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
    He is playing his cards close to his chest
    The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
  • v  engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
    They played games on their opponents
    play the stock market
    play with her feelings
  • v  behave in a certain way
    play safe
    play it safe
    play fair
  • v  cause to emit recorded audio or video
    I'll play you my favorite record
    He never tires of playing that video
  • v  manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
    She played nervously with her wedding ring
    He played with the idea of running for the Senate
  • v  use to one's advantage
    She plays on her clients' emotions
  • v  consider not very seriously
    She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
  • v  be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
    This speech didn't play well with the American public
    His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
  • v  behave carelessly or indifferently
  • v  cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
    The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
  • v  perform on a stage or theater
    She acts in this play
    I played in `A Christmas Carol'
  • v  be performed or presented for public viewing
    What's playing in the local movie theater?
    `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
  • v  cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
    play a joke
  • v  discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
    play water from a hose
    The fountains played all day
  • v  make bets
    play the casinos in Trouville
  • v  stake on the outcome of an issue
    She played all her money on the dark horse
  • v  shoot or hit in a particular manner
    She played a good backhand last night
  • v  use or move
    I had to play my queen
  • v  employ in a game or in a specific position
    They played him on first base
  • v  contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
    Princeton plays Yale this weekend
    Charlie likes to play Mary
  • v  exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
    play a hooked fish

  • The overwhelming force of the play's crucial scenes could not have derived from the stirring facts alone, nor from Playwright Gibson's vivid use of them.
  • Great Play! That starts the record player and produces a sportscaster's voice (it belongs to Dick Enberg, radio announcer for the Los Angeles Rams) excitedly describing the play .
  • I usually play up to the competition, I don't feel any pressure to be fantastic or to .
News & Articles

  • NHL play-offs stanley cup final result
    June 16 (Infostrada Sports) - Result from the NHL Play-offs Stanley Cup Final match between Chicago and Boston on Saturday (home team in CAPS) 1 2 3 OT T CHICAGO 1 0 0 0 1 Boston 0 1 0 1 2 (The best-of-seven series is level at 1-1)
    June 16, 2013 - Reuters via Yahoo! Sports
  • Play of the Day: Nolan Arenado makes a nifty snag
    Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado made a heck of a play on a Jonathan Pettibone grounder in the second inning of today’s game against the Phillies. Pettibone chopped the ball down the third base line. Arenado, who was playing in and off the line, dove to his right and snagged the ball when it was…
    June 16, 2013 - NBC Sports: HardballTalk
  • Coaches Play Down the Power Play in the Stanley Cup Finals
    The Cup finalists, Chicago and Boston, are mediocre with the man advantage, but they excel in five-on-five play.
    June 15, 2013 - New York Times
Quotes

  • Bert van Marwijk in The Associated Press
    We play well Spain plays well, but they are more attractive and this is where we want to get too,Van Marwijk told reporters Thursday.
  • Wesley Sneijder in USA Today
    This is unforgettable,said Sneijder, tied with Spain's David Villa for top scorer at the tournament (five goals). "It was a tough fight and toward the end we complicated matters. Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to...
  • Bob Bradley in USA Today
    Last week I shot 70-76, and I didn't play Saturday. I didn't play Sunday. I traveled on Monday. I hit two bags of balls on Tuesday and a couple of putts, maybe an hour and a half of practice. I played the Pro-Am yesterday, and I'm not kidding, we... Paul Goydos http://www.google.com/url?q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Goydos&source=dictionary&usg=AFQjCNHJZ19w-IlK5t9kCzfzUNoXM5RZjQ Golfweek.com http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.golfweek.com/news/2010/jul/08/mr-sunshines-outlook-pays-during-59/%3FBLOG-TourBlog&source=dictionary&usg=AFQjCNFZu_bKAJApPtxUYBPVGlfWOzlDtA Jul 8, 2010 75139 101418 playacting I hate to see players acting like they've been hit getting away with it. When I see Kaka get sent off, I think that's too bad for the game because he's a great player and that is playacting at it's best - or worst," he said, referring to the...

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