Word: play Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *plehan Old English pleġan Proto-West Germanic *plegō Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-West Germanic *-ōn Proto-West Germanic *plegōn Old English plegian Middle English pleyen Proto-West Germanic *plegō Old English plega Middle English pleye English play From Middle English pleyen (verb) and Middle English pleye (noun), from Old English plegian and plegan, plagian (“to play, exercise, etc.”), from Proto-West Germanic *plehan (“to care about, be concerned with”) and Proto-West Germanic *plegōn (“to engage, move”), of uncertain origin. cognates and related terms Cognate with Scots play (“to act or move briskly, cause to move, stir”), Saterland Frisian pleegje (“to look after, care for, maintain”), West Frisian pleegje, pliigje (“to commit, perform, bedrive”), Middle Dutch pleyen ("to dance, leap for joy, rejoice, be glad"; compare Modern Dutch pleien (“to play a particular children's game”)), Dutch plegen (“to commit, bedrive, practice”), German pflegen (“to care for, be concerned with, attend to, tend”). Related also to Old English plēon (“to risk, endanger”). More at plight, pledge. The noun is from Middle English pleye, from Old English plæġ, plega, plæġa (“play, quick motion, movement, exercise; (athletic) sport, game; festivity, drama; battle; gear for games, an implement for a game; clapping with the hands, applause”), deverbative of plegian (“to play”); see above. Pronunciation: /pleɪ̯/ [pɫ̥eɪ̯ ~ pʰɫeɪ̯], /ple(j)/ 1. Activity for amusement only, especially among the young. Labels: uncountable Example: Children learn through play. Example: She was fond of all boys' plays, and greatly preferred cricket […] to dolls […] 2. Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills. Labels: uncountable Example: This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting skills. 3. The conduct, or course, of a game. Labels: uncountable Example: Play was very slow in the first half. Example: After the rain break, play resumed at 3 o'clock. 4. The sphere or circumstance in which a playing implement, such as a ball, is played or available to be played (see also in play, out of play). Labels: also, figuratively, uncountable Example: In potting the yellow ball, he's knocked the green into play. Example: When a chess piece is captured, it is removed from play. 5. An individual's performance in a sport or game. Labels: uncountable Example: His play has improved a lot this season. 6. A short sequence of action within a game. Labels: countable Example: That was a great play by the Mudchester Rovers forward. 7. A short sequence of action within a game. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: AWARD is better than either WARED or WADER. However, there's an even better play! If you have looked at the two-to-make-three letter list, you may have noticed the word AWA. 8. A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue. Labels: countable Example: This book contains all of Shakespeare's plays. 9. A theatrical performance featuring actors. Labels: countable Example: We saw a two-act play in the theatre. Example: My kids are acting in the school play this Christmas. 10. An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party. Labels: countable Example: ABC Widgets makes a play in the bicycle market with its bid to take over Acme Sprockets. Example: Turpin signals the Metric Party's long-term play for housing reform 11. A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources. Labels: countable 12. Movement (of a pattern of light etc.) Labels: uncountable Example: the play of light and shadow across the boy's face Example: the sum of mental and physical phenomena known by the conventional name “person” or “individual” is not at all the mere play of blind chance. 13. Freedom to move. Labels: uncountable Example: give play to your imagination Example: The negro came up and Bond allowed his arms to be tied behind his back. They were good knots. There was no play in them. They hurt. 14. Freedom to move. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it. Example: Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous. 15. Sexual activity or sexual role-playing. Labels: informal, uncountable Example: petplay Example: Sexy LF novice seeks seasoned top to spice up my play life. Teach me a lesson I won't forget. 16. An instance of watching or listening to media. Labels: countable Example: That video of my cat falling off the piano has had ten thousand plays. Example: The most-streamed artist of the year was British singer Ed Sheeran, who amassed 860 million plays with hits like “I See Fire.” 17. An instance or instances of causing media to be watched or heard, such as by broadcasting. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Their single got a play on the radio. Example: The song got a lot of play in the clubs. 18. A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played. Labels: countable Example: press play 19. An instance of wordplay. Labels: countable Example: play on words Example: The name Wiktionary is a play on the words wiki and dictionary. 20. Activity relating to martial combat or fighting. Labels: archaic, countable, in-compounds, uncountable, usually Example: handplay, swordplay