'A play upon words' definitions:

Definition of 'A play upon words'

From: GCIDE

Play \Play\, n.
1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols. [1913 Webster]
2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game. [1913 Webster]
John naturally loved rough play. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]
3. The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play. [1913 Webster]
4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit. "The next who comes in play." --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action. [1913 Webster]
A play ought to be a just image of human nature. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play. [1913 Webster]
7. Performance on an instrument of music. [1913 Webster]
8. Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action. "To give them play, front and rear." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The joints are let exactly into one another, that they have no play between them. --Moxon. [1913 Webster]
9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth. [1913 Webster]
Play actor, an actor of dramas. --Prynne.
Play debt, a gambling debt. --Arbuthnot.
Play pleasure, idle amusement. [Obs.] --Bacon.
A play upon words, the use of a word in such a way as to be capable of double meaning; punning.
Play of colors, prismatic variation of colors.
To bring into play, To come into play, to bring or come into use or exercise.
To hold in play, to keep occupied or employed. [1913 Webster]
I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe in play. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]