Playa - Plectile

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Playa (?), n. [Sp.] A beach; a strand; in the plains and deserts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, a broad, level spot, on which subsequently becomes dry by evaporation. Bartlett.
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Playbill (?), n. A printed programme of a play, with the parts assigned to the actors.
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Playbook (?), n. A book of dramatic compositions; a book of the play. Swift.
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Playday (?), n. A day given to play or diversion; a holiday. Swift.
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Player (?), n. 1. One who plays, or amuses himself; one without serious aims; an idler; a trifler. Shak.
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2. One who plays any game.
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3. A dramatic actor. Shak.
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4. One who plays on an instrument of music. “A cunning player on a harp.” 1 Sam. xvi. 16.
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5. A gamester; a gambler.
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Playfellow (?), n. A companion in amusements or sports; a playmate. Shak.
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Playfere (?), n. [Play + 1st fere.] A playfellow. [Obs.] [Also, playfeer, playphere.] Holinsheld.
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Playful (?), a. Sportive; gamboling; frolicsome; indulging a sportive fancy; humorous; merry; as, a playful child; a playful writer. -- Playfully, adv. -- Playfulness, n.
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Playgame (?), n. Play of children. Locke.
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Playgoer (?), n. One who frequents playhouses, or attends dramatic performances.
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Playgoing, a. Frequenting playhouses; as, the playgoing public. -- n. The practice of going to plays.
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Playground (?), n. A piece of ground used for recreation; as, the playground of a school.
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Playhouse (?), n. [AS. pleghūs.] 1. A building used for dramatic exhibitions; a theater. Shak.
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2. A house for children to play in; a toyhouse.
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Playing, a. & vb. n. of .
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Coloq. Playing cards . See under .
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Playmaker (?), n. A playwright. [R.]
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Playmate (?), n. A companion in diversions; a playfellow.
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Playsome (?), a. Playful; wanton; sportive. [R.] R. Browning. -- Playsomeness, n. [R.]
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Playte (?), n. (Naut.) See .
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Plaything (?), n. A thing to play with; a toy; anything that serves to amuse.
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A child knows his nurse, and by degrees the playthings of a little more advanced age. Locke.
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Playtime (?), n. Time for play or diversion.
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Playwright (?), n. A maker or adapter of plays.
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Playwriter (?), n. A writer of plays; a dramatist; a playwright. Lecky.
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Plaza (?), n. [Sp. See .] A public square in a city or town.
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Plea (?), n. [OE. plee, plai, plait, fr. OF. plait, plaid, plet, LL. placitum judgment, decision, assembly, court, fr. L. placitum that which is pleasing, an opinion, sentiment, from placere to please. See , and cf. , .] 1. (Law) That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal answer to the indictment or information presented against him.
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2. (Law) A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. See under .
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The Supreme Judicial Court shall have cognizance of pleas real, personal, and mixed. Laws of Massachusetts.
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3. That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification; an excuse; an apology. “Necessity, the tyrant's plea.” Milton.
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No plea must serve; 't is cruelty to spare. Denham.
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4. An urgent prayer or entreaty.
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Coloq. Pleas of the crown (Eng. Law), criminal actions.
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Pleach (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleached (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleaching.] [Cf. OF. plaissier to bend, and also F. plisser to plait, L. plicare, plicitum, to fold, lay, or wind together. Cf. to pleach.] To unite by interweaving, as branches of trees; to plash; to interlock. “The pleached bower.” Shak.
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Plead (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Plead (?) or Pled); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleading.] [OE. pleden, plaiden, OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum. See .] 1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
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O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor! Job xvi. 21.
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2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense, to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry on a suit or plea. Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.
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3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Plead (?), v. t. 1. To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury.
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Every man should plead his own matter. Sir T. More.
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☞ In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
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2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty. Kent.
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3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors. Spenser.
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I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults. Dryden.
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Pleadable (?), a. Capable of being pleaded; capable of being alleged in proof, defense, or vindication; as, a right or privilege pleadable at law. Dryden.
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Pleader (?), n. [F. plaideur.] 1. One who pleads; one who argues for or against; an advotate.
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So fair a pleader any cause may gain. Dryden.
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2. (Law) One who draws up or forms pleas; the draughtsman of pleas or pleadings in the widest sense; as, a special pleader.
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Pleading, n. The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by arguments.
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Pleadingly, adv. In a pleading manner.
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Pleadings (?), n. pl. (Law) The mutual pleas and replies of the plaintiff and defendant, or written statements of the parties in support of their claims, proceeding from the declaration of the plaintiff, until issue is joined, and the question made to rest on some single point. Blackstone.
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Pleasance (?), n. [F. plaisance. See .] 1. Pleasure; merriment; gayety; delight; kindness. [Archaic] Shak. “Full great pleasance.” Chaucer. “A realm of pleasance.” Tennyson.
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2. A secluded part of a garden. [Archaic]
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The pleasances of old Elizabethan houses. Ruskin.
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Pleasant (?), a. [F. plaisant. See .] 1. Pleasing; grateful to the mind or to the senses; agreeable; as, a pleasant journey; pleasant weather.
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Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Ps. cxxxiii. 1.
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2. Cheerful; enlivening; gay; sprightly; humorous; sportive; as, pleasant company; a pleasant fellow.
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From grave to light, from pleasant to serve. Dryden.
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Syn. -- Pleasing; gratifying; agreeable; cheerful; good-humored; enlivening; gay; lively; merry; sportive; humorous; jocose; amusing; witty. -- , , . Agreeable is applied to that which agrees with, or is in harmony with, one's tastes, character, etc. Pleasant and pleasing denote a stronger degree of the agreeable. Pleasant refers rather to the state or condition; pleasing, to the act or effect. Where they are applied to the same object, pleasing is more energetic than pleasant; as, she is always pleasant and always pleasing. The distinction, however, is not radical and not rightly observed.
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Pleasant, n. A wit; a humorist; a buffoon. [Obs.]
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Pleasantly, adv. In a pleasant manner.
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Pleasantness, n. The state or quality of being pleasant.
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Pleasantry (?), n.; pl. Pleasantries (#). [F. plaisanterie. See .] That which denotes or promotes pleasure or good humor; cheerfulness; gayety; merriment; especially, an agreeable playfulness in conversation; a jocose or humorous remark; badinage.
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The grave abound in pleasantries, the dull in repartees and points of wit. Addison.
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The keen observation and ironical pleasantry of a finished man of the world. Macaulay.
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Pleasant-tongued (?), a. Of pleasing speech.
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Please (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleased; p. pr. & vb. n. Pleasing.] [OE. plesen, OF. plaisir, fr. L. placere, akin to placare to reconcile. Cf. , , , , , .] 1. To give pleasure to; to excite agreeable sensations or emotions in; to make glad; to gratify; to content; to satisfy.
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I pray to God that it may plesen you. Chaucer.
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What next I bring shall please thee, be assured. Milton.
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2. To have or take pleasure in; hence, to choose; to wish; to desire; to will.
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Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he. Ps. cxxxv. 6.
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A man doing as he wills, and doing as he pleases, are the same things in common speech. J. Edwards.
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3. To be the will or pleasure of; to seem good to; -- used impersonally. “It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” Col. i. 19.
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To-morrow, may it please you. Shak.
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Coloq. To be pleased in or Coloq. To be pleased with , to have complacency in; to take pleasure in. -- Coloq. To be pleased to do a thing , to take pleasure in doing it; to have the will to do it; to think proper to do it. Dryden.
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Please (?), v. i. 1. To afford or impart pleasure; to excite agreeable emotions.
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What pleasing scemed, for her now pleases more. Milton.
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For we that live to please, must please to live. Johnson.
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2. To have pleasure; to be willing, as a matter of affording pleasure or showing favor; to vouchsafe; to consent.
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Heavenly stranger, please to taste
These bounties. Milton.
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That he would please 8give me my liberty. Swift.
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Pleased (?), a. Experiencing pleasure. -- Pleasedly (#), adv. -- Pleasedness, n.
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Pleaseman (?), n. An officious person who courts favor servilely; a pickthank. [Obs.] Shak.
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Pleaser (?), n. One who pleases or gratifies.
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Pleasing, a. Giving pleasure or satisfaction; causing agreeable emotion; agreeable; delightful; as, a pleasing prospect; pleasing manners. “Pleasing harmony.” Shak. “Pleasing features.” Macaulay. -- Pleasingly, adv. -- Pleasingness, n.
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Syn. -- Gratifying; delightful; agreeable. See .
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Pleasing, n. An object of pleasure. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Pleasurable (?), a. Capable of affording pleasure or satisfaction; gratifying; abounding in pleasantness or pleasantry.
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Planting of orchards is very . . . pleasurable. Bacon.
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O, sir, you are very pleasurable. B. Jonson.
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-- Pleasurableness, n. -- Pleasurably, adv.
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Pleasure (?), n. [F. plaisir, originally an infinitive. See .] 1. The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish, or happiness produced by the expectation or the enjoyment of something good, delightful, or satisfying; -- opposed to pain, sorrow, etc.
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At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Ps. xvi. 11.
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2. Amusement; sport; diversion; self-indulgence; frivolous or dissipating enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; -- opposed to labor, service, duty, self-denial, etc. “Not sunk in carnal pleasure.” Milton.
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He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man. Prov. xxi. 17.
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Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. 2 Tim. iii. 4.
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3. What the will dictates or prefers as gratifying or satisfying; hence, will; choice; wish; purpose. “He will do his pleasure on Babylon.” Isa. xlviii. 14.
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Use your pleasure; if your love do not presuade you to come, let not my letter. Shak.
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4. That which pleases; a favor; a gratification. Shak.
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Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure Acts xxv. 9.
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Coloq. At pleasure , by arbitrary will or choice. Dryden. -- Coloq. To take pleasure in , to have enjoyment in. Ps. cxlvii. 11.
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☞ Pleasure is used adjectively, or in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, pleasure boat, pleasure ground; pleasure house, etc.
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Syn. -- Enjoyment; gratification; satisfaction; comfort; solace; joy; gladness; delight; will; choice; preference; purpose; command; favor; kindness.
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Pleasure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleasured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleasuring.] To give or afford pleasure to; to please; to gratify. Shak.
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[Rolled] his hoop to pleasure Edith. Tennyson.
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Pleasure, v. i. To take pleasure; to seek pursue pleasure; as, to go pleasuring.
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Pleasureful (?), a. Affording pleasure. [R.]
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Pleasureless, a. Devoid of pleasure. G. Eliot.
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Pleasurer (?), n. A pleasure seeker. Dickens.
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Pleasurist, n. A person devoted to worldly pleasure. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
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Pleat (plēt), n. & v. t. See .
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Plebe (plēb), n. [F. plèbe, fr. L. plebs.] 1. The common people; the mob. [Obs.]
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The plebe with thirst and fury prest. Sylvester.
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2. [Cf. .] A member of the lowest class in the military academy at West Point; also, a freshman at any military or naval academy. [Cant, U.S.]
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Plebeian (pl�bēy�n), a. [L. plebeius, from plebs, plebis, the common people: cf. F. plébéien.] 1. Of or pertaining to the Roman plebs, or common people.
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2. Of or pertaining to the common people; vulgar; common; as, plebeian sports; a plebeian throng.
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Plebeian, n. 1. One of the plebs, or common people of ancient Rome, in distinction from patrician.
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2. One of the common people, or lower rank of men.
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Plebeiance (?), n. 1. Plebeianism. [Obs.]
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2. Plebeians, collectively. [Obs.]
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Plebeianism (?), n. [Cf. F. plébéianisme.] 1. The quality or state of being plebeian.
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2. The conduct or manners of plebeians; vulgarity.
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Plebeianize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plebeianized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Plebeianizing.] To render plebeian, common, or vulgar.
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Plebicolist (?), n. [L. plebs the common people + colere to cultivate.] One who flatters, or courts the favor of, the common people; a demagogue. [R.]
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Plebification (?), n. [L. plebs the common people + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See .] A rendering plebeian; the act of vulgarizing. [R.]
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You begin with the attempt to popularize learning . . . but you will end in the plebification of knowledge. Coleridge.
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Plebiscitary (?), a. Of or pertaining to plebiscite. The Century.
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Plebiscite (?), n. [F. plébiscite, fr. L. plebiscitum.] A vote by universal male suffrage; especially, in France, a popular vote, as first sanctioned by the National Constitution of 1791. [Written also plebiscit.]
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Plebiscite we have lately taken, in popular use, from the French. Fitzed. Hall.
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Plebiscitum (?), n. [L., fr. plebs, plebis, common people + scitum decree.] (Rom. Antiq.) A law enacted by the common people, under the superintendence of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without the intervention of the senate.
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Plebs (plĕbz), n. [L. Cf. .] 1. The commonalty of ancient Rome who were citizens without the usual political rights; the plebeians; -- distinguished from the patricians.
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2. Hence, the common people; the populace; -- construed as a pl.
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Plectile (?), a. [L. plectilis.] Woven; plaited. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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