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 hob, to play the part of a mischievous spirit; to work mischief.
 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. [Colloq.]