Play, v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.
First Peace and Silence all disputes control,
Then Order plays the soul. Herbert.
2. To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.
3. To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.
4. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.
Nature here
Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will
Her virgin fancies. Milton.
5. To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman.
Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt. Sir W. Scott.
6. To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.
7. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
To play off, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as, to play off tricks. — To play one's cards, to manage one's means or opportunities; to contrive. — Played out, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's resources.