Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Play \Play\, n.
   1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

   2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement
      or diversion; a game.

            John naturally loved rough play.      --Arbuthnot.

   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.

   4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair
      play; sword play; a play of wit. ``The next who comes in
      play.'' --Dryden.

   5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition
      in which characters are represented by dialogue and
      action.

            A play ought to be a just image of human nature.
                                                  --Dryden.

   6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy;
      as, he attends ever play.

   7. Performance on an instrument of music.

   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.

            The joints are let exactly into one another, that
            they have no play between them.       --Moxon.

   9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display;
      scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

   {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.