play

pleɪ̯/ [pɫ̥eɪ̯ ~ pʰɫeɪ̯

3 definitions

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#1·6h ago

(intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

The children played in the park.

Origin: From , playen, pleȝen, plæien, also , plawen , from , pleoġan, plæġan, and , pleagian, to play, exercise, etc., from and , of uncertain origin. Cognate with , , , to commit, perform, bedrive, , , . Related also to . More at plight, pledge. The noun is from , from , plega, 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 to play; see above. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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#2·6h ago

(intransitive, especially with 'with'; see also play with) To toy or trifle; to act with levity or thoughtlessness; to be careless.

A youngsterlisted some of the things his pet did not do:go on vacation, play in the same way that he did with his friends, and so on.

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#3·6h ago

(transitive, intransitive) To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).

2003, Anne-Nelly Perret-Clermont et al. (eds.), Joining Society: Social Interaction and Learning in Adolescence and Youth, Cambridge Univ. Press, p.52:

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