Search the Dictionary

An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show. "An affectation of contempt." Macaulay. Affectation is an awkward and forced imitation of what should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty that accompanies what is natural what is natural. Locke.

A piece performed after a play, usually a farce or other small entertainment.

Sung or played in a restless, hurried, and spasmodic manner.

ral. As a scholar, he [Dr. Parr] was brilliant, but he consumed his power in agonistic displays. De Quincey.

Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind. Let vernal airs through trembling osiers play. Pope.

A crystallizable compound of a salt with alcohol, in which the latter plays a part analogous to that of water of crystallization. Graham.

containing an excess of alkali, at the bottom of an undrained basin in an arid region; a playa.

To dissect; to cut in pieces, as an animal vegetable body, for the purpose of displaying or examining the structure and use of the several parts.

Each player's stake, which is put into the pool before (ante) the game begins.

A buffoon or merry-andrew; one that practices odd gesticulations; the Fool of the old play.

n articular surface on the ilium of birds against which the great trochanter of the femur plays.

understanding; plain; evident; obvious; known; palpable; indubitable. It is apparent foul play. Shak.

The production of the tones of a chord in rapid succession, as in playing the harp, and not simultaneously; a strain thus played.

Something spoken aside; as, a remark made by a stageplayer which the other players are not supposed to hear.

relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns.

Of or pertaining to Atella, in ancient Italy; as, Atellan plays; farcical; ribald. -- n.

A variety of the game of bridge in which the players, beginning with the dealer, bid for the privilege of naming the trump and playing with the dummy for that deal, there being heavy penalties for a player's failure to make good his bid. The score value of each trick more than six taken by the successful bidder is as f…

A game of cards in which the players bid for the privilege of determining or "pitching" the trump suit. R. F. Foster.

ead of a government, for conference or the transaction of business. According to the fair play of the world, Let me have audience: I am sent to speak. Shak.

Gold-bearing; containing or producing gold. Whence many a bursting stream auriferous plays. Thomson. ~= pyrites, iron pyrites (iron disulphide), containing some gold disseminated through it.