Play \Play\, n.
   1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.
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   2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement
      or diversion; a game.
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            John naturally loved rough play.      --Arbuthnot.
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   3. The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement,
      or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as,
      to lose a fortune in play.
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   4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair
      play; sword play; a play of wit. "The next who comes in
      play." --Dryden.
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   5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition
      in which characters are represented by dialogue and
      action.
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            A play ought to be a just image of human nature.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy;
      as, he attends ever play.
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   7. Performance on an instrument of music.
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   8. Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a
      wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and
      easy action. "To give them play, front and rear."
      --Milton.
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            The joints are let exactly into one another, that
            they have no play between them.       --Moxon.
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   9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display;
      scope; as, to give full play to mirth.
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   Play actor, an actor of dramas. --Prynne.

   Play debt, a gambling debt. --Arbuthnot.

   Play pleasure, idle amusement. [Obs.] --Bacon.

   A play upon words, the use of a word in such a way as to be
      capable of double meaning; punning.

   Play of colors, prismatic variation of colors.

   To bring into play, To come into play, to bring or come
      into use or exercise.

   To hold in play, to keep occupied or employed.
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            I, with two more to help me,
            Will hold the foe in play.            --Macaulay.
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