play possum

[plei ˈpɔsəm]

noun

swordplay

archaic game, sport

the conduct, course, or action of a game

a particular act or maneuver in a game: such as

the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game

the moving of a piece in a board game (such as chess)

one's turn in a game

it's your play

obsolete sexual intercourse

amorous flirtation : dalliance

recreational activityespecially: the spontaneous activity of children

absence of serious or harmful intent : jest

said it in play

the act or an instance of playing on words or speech sounds

gaming, gambling

an act, way, or manner of proceeding : maneuver

that was a play to get your fingerprints—Erle Stanley Gardner

the state of being active, operative, or relevant several issues are at play

other motives surely come into play—M. R. Cohen

emphasis or publicity especially in the news media

wished the country received a better play in the American press—Hugh MacLennan

a move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings—usually used with make

made a big play for the girl—Will Herman

the stage representation of an action or story

a dramatic composition : drama

verb

intransitive verb

to engage in sport or recreation : frolic

to have sexual relationsespecially: to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations —usually used in the phrase play around

to move aimlessly about : trifle

played with her food

to take advantage

playing on fears

flutter, frisk

to move or function freely within prescribed limits

to produce a stream

hoses playing on a fire

to perform music

play on a violin

to act in a dramatic production

what's playing at the theater

to be suitable for dramatic performance

to act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy—often used in the phrase play up to

might play to popular prejudices to serve his political ends—V. L. Parrington

to produce a specified impression in performance

a movie that plays like a sitcom

to engage or take part in a game

to perform in a position in a specified manner

the outfielders were playing deep

to perform an action during one's turn in a game

gamble

to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way

play safe

to gain approval : go over

her idea did not play well

transitive verb

to engage in or occupy oneself with

play baseball

to pretend to engage in the activities of children playing house

play war

to amount to by one's efforts

played an important role in their success

to put on a performance of (a play)

played leading theaters

to perform or act the part of

play the fool

to contend against in or as if in a game

the coach did not play him

to wager in a game : stake

play the races

to put into action in a gameespecially: to remove (a playing card) from one's hand and place usually faceup on a table in one's turn either as part of a scoring combination or as one's contribution to a trick

to catch or pick up (a batted ball) : field

played the ball bare-handed

to direct the course of (something, such as a ball) : hitalso: to cause (a ball or puck) to rebound played the ball off the backboard

played a wedge shot to the green

to perform (music) on an instrument

play a waltz

to perform music on

play the violin

to perform music of (a certain composer)

to cause (a device, such as a radio) to emit sounds

wield, ply

to discharge, fire, or set off with continuous effect

played the hose on the burning building

to cause to move or operate lightly and irregularly or intermittently

to keep (a hooked fish) in action

Noun Middle English, from Old English plega; akin to Old English plegan to play, Middle Dutch pleyen

The first known use of play was before the 12th century

tech1 of 2noun

technician a computer tech

lab techs

tech2 of 2noun

technology

pop1 of 6verb

to burst or cause to burst with a pop we popped corn

the balloon popped

to go, come, push, or enter quickly or suddenly popped a grape into my mouth

pop into bed

to shoot with a gun

to bulge from the sockets

eyes popping with surprise

to hit a pop fly

pop2 of 6noun

a sharp explosive sound

a shot from a gun

a flavored carbonated beverage

pop3 of 6adverb

like or with a pop : suddenly

pop4 of 6noun

father entry 1 sense 1a

pop5 of 6adjective

popular sense 2

pop music

of or relating to pop music

a pop singer

of, relating to, or being the behavior and interests of average people and especially young people

pop6 of 6noun

popular music

listens to pop

teargas1 of 2verb

to use tear gas on

tear gas2 of 2noun

any of various substances that cause eye irritation and blind the eyes with tears when released into the air and that are used mostly to scatter mobs

teargas1 of 2verb

to use tear gas on

tear gas2 of 2noun

any of various substances that cause eye irritation and blind the eyes with tears when released into the air and that are used mostly to scatter mobs

play1 of 2noun

a brisk handling or using

the play of a sword

the conduct, course, or action of a game

rain held up play

a particular act or maneuver in a game

a great play by the shortstop

one's turn in a game

it's your play

exercise or activity for amusement

children at play

absence of any bad intention

said it in play

the act or an instance of playing on words : pun

the act of playing a game and risking something on an uncertain event : gambling, gaming

a way or manner of acting or proceeding : action, conduct

fair play

operation sense 1, activity

brisk or light movement

the light play of a breeze

freedom of motion

too much play in the steering wheel

opportunity for action

the new job gave play to my talents

the stage representation of an action or story

a dramatic composition : drama

play2 of 2verb

to engage in sport or recreation and especially in activity for amusement

children playing

to treat or behave lightly or without respect that is due

play with a new idea

to make use of double meaning or the similarity of sound of two words for humorous effect : pun

to handle something in an absentminded way : toy

played with the pencil

to take advantage

played upon the people's fears

to move swiftly or lightly

shadows playing on the wall

to move freely

to let go in a stream

hoses playing on the fire

to sound in performance

listen to an organ playing

to be staged or presented

what's playing at the movies

to behave in a particular way

play safe

to take part in play ball

play cards

to pretend to take part in the activities of

children playing house

to do for amusement or from mischief

play a trick on someone

to perform on or as if on the stage

play a part

to act the part of

play the fool

to contend against in a game

playing the Dodgers today

to put or keep in action play a fish on a line

play a card in a game

to cause something to produce music or sound play a record

play the piano