play-n; 13 Senses

Sense Number 1: piece of drama

Commentary: PLAY[+artifact][+opus][+literary][+drama] A piece of dramatic literature. Does not refer to any instance of performance.

Examples:
"Cats" is my favorite play about cats.
He wrote several plays, but only one was performed.
She auditioned for the new play that's opening next month.
My play is a huge success on Broadway!

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: dramatic performance

Commentary: PLAY[+event][+performance][+theatrical] The act of performing a drama. Something that begins and ends.

Examples:
The play begins at eight o'clock sharp and lasts three hours.
After the play, I went straight to bed.
At the end of a play, all the performers usually come out and bow.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 3: maneuver in a game

Commentary: PLAY[+event][+maneuver][+game] A maneuver, plan of action, or coordinated sequence of movements. Often associated with sports.

Examples:
The coach drew up the plays for the team.
The runner was out on a play by the shortstop.
The Boston Bruins had a two-minute power play against the Rangers.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 4: state of being active

Commentary: PLAY[+state][+active] The state of being "in play" or active. Often refers to the period during which something happens. The state of play can begin and end.

Examples:
Play officially begins when a player touches the ball.
That ball was still in play!
Insiders said the stock was now in play.
Rain stopped play in the fourth inning.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 5: having fun

Commentary: PLAY[+activity][+recreational][+fun] Recreation typically associated with children, in which imagination is more important than rules. Generally, the activity in which having fun is the main goal.

Examples:
Freud believed in the importance of play to a small child.
Play time is over!
"Writing this thesis paper should be child's play," John said.
From the window I watched the children at play.
It was all done in play.
Their play turned deadly serious once violent video games corrupted their minds.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 6: freedom or looseness

Commentary: PLAY[+quality][+mobility][+degree_of] The amount of freedom that a person or a thing has. Often refers to the looseness of an object.

Examples:
There's too much play in the steering wheel.
We gave full play to the artist's imagination. (metaphoric extension)

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 7: attempt to achieve or attain a goal

Commentary: PLAY[+event][+effort][+goal_directed] A bid or an attempt to get something.

Examples:
They made a futile play for power.
It was just a play to get attention.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 8: an agent's activation of something, setting in motion

Commentary: PLAY[+event][+activation] The act of using or exercising something. The act of "putting something in play".

Examples:
The play of the imagination allows me to use my brain fully.
My partner's clumsy play of the trump card lost the game for us.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 9: a participant's turn in a game

Commentary: PLAY[+event][+turn][+of_participant][+in_game] Doing something in an agreed succession. Usually associated with turn-based games.

Examples:
Hurry up-- it's still your play!
Your play ended when you fortified your territories.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 10: skillful usage

Commentary: PLAY[+event][+manipulation][+skillful] The vigorous or skillful usage of something.

Examples:
The sheriff doesn't allow gun play or sword play in this town.
Shakespeare was known for his clever word play. ('word' is a noun-- what Shakespeare was using skillfully)

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 11: shimmering light

Commentary: PLAY[+quality][+luminosity][+shimmering] Refers to the way that light and color can move around on a surface. Often used in literary descriptions.

Examples:
The play of the light upon the surface of the water was so beautiful that I wept for joy.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 12: gambling

Commentary: PLAY[+event][+gambling] The act of playing for stakes.

Examples:
There was some heavy play at the blackjack table.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 13: senses 1 and 2

Commentary: PLAY[+artifact][+opus][+literary][+drama] [+event][+performance][+theatrical] Use this sense when a sentence refers both to a dramatic work (Sense 1) and a performance (Sense 2), or when there is no clear distinction.

Examples:
I hope you'll come to Broadway and see the play that I wrote!
John feels just like a character in a play.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1