play the field

- 6 dictionary results

field

[feeld]

–noun

1.	an expanse of open or cleared ground, esp. a piece of land suitable or used for pasture or tillage.

Sports.

a.	a piece of ground devoted to sports or contests; playing field.

b.	(in betting) all the contestants or numbers that are grouped together as one: to bet on the field in a horse race.

c.	(in football) the players on the playing ground.

d.	the area in which field events are held.

Baseball.

a.	the team in the field, as opposed to the one at bat.

b.	the outfield.

4.	a sphere of activity, interest, etc., esp. within a particular business or profession: the field of teaching; the field of Shakespearean scholarship.

5.	the area or region drawn on or serviced by a business or profession; outlying areas where business activities or operations are carried on, as opposed to a home or branch office: our representatives in the field.

6.	a job location remote from regular workshop facilities, offices, or the like.

Military.

a.	the scene or area of active military operations.

b.	a battleground.

a battle.

d.	Informal. an area located away from the headquarters of a commander.

8.	an expanse of anything: a field of ice.

9.	any region characterized by a particular feature, resource, activity, etc.: a gold field.

10.	the surface of a canvas, shield, etc., on which something is portrayed: a gold star on a field of blue.

11.	(in a flag) the ground of each division.

12.	Physics. the influence of some agent, as electricity or gravitation, considered as existing at all points in space and defined by the force it would exert on an object placed at any point in space. Compare electric field, gravitational field, magnetic field.

13.	Also called field of view. Optics. the entire angular expanse visible through an optical instrument at a given time.

14.	Electricity. the structure in a generator or motor that produces a magnetic field around a rotating armature.

15.	Mathematics. a number system that has the same properties relative to the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as the number system of all real numbers; a commutative division ring.

16.	Photography. the area of a subject that is taken in by a lens at a particular diaphragm opening.

17.	Psychology. the total complex of interdependent factors within which a psychological event occurs and is perceived as occurring.

18.

Computers.

a.	one or more related characters treated as a unit and constituting part of a record, for purposes of input, processing, output, or storage by a computer: If the hours-worked field is blank or zero, the program does not write a check for that employee.

b.	(in a punch card) any number of columns regularly used for recording the same information.

19.	Television. one half of the scanning lines required to form a complete television frame. In the U.S., two fields are displayed in 1/30 second: all the odd-numbered lines in one field and all the even lines in the next field. Compare frame (def. 9).

20.	Numismatics. the blank area of a coin, other than that of the exergue.

21.	Fox Hunting. the group of participants in a hunt, exclusive of the master of foxhounds and his staff.

22.	Heraldry. the whole area or background of an escutcheon.

–verb (used with object)

23.

Baseball, Cricket.

a.	to catch or pick up (the ball) in play: The shortstop fielded the grounder and threw to first for the out.

b.	to place (a player, group of players, or a team) in the field to play.

24.	to place in competition: to field a candidate for governor.

25.	to answer or reply skillfully: to field a difficult question.

26.	to put into action or on duty: to field police cars to patrol an area.

27.	Informal. field-test.

–verb (used without object) Baseball, Cricket.

28.	to act as a fielder; field the ball.

29.	to take to the field.

–adjective

30.

Sports.

a.	of, taking place, or competed for on the field and not on the track, as the discus throw or shot put.

b.	of or pertaining to field events.

31.	Military. of or pertaining to campaign and active combat service as distinguished from service in rear areas or at headquarters: a field soldier.

32.	of or pertaining to a field.

33.	grown or cultivated in a field.

34.	working in the fields of a farm: field laborers.

35.	working as a salesperson, engineer, representative, etc., in the field: an insurance company's field agents.

—Idioms

36.

in the field,

a.	in actual use or in a situation simulating actual use or application; away from a laboratory, workshop, or the like: The machine was tested for six months in the field.

b.	in contact with a prime source of basic data: The anthropologist is working in the field in Nigeria.

c.	within a given profession: The public knows little of him, but in the field he's known as a fine mathematician.

37.	keep the field, to remain in competition or in battle; continue to contend: The troops kept the field under heavy fire.

38.	out in left field. left field (def. 3).

39.

play the field, Informal.

a.	to vary one's activities.

b.	to date a number of persons rather than only one: He wanted to play the field for a few years before settling down.

40.

take the field,

a.	to begin to play, as in football or baseball; go into action.

b.	to go into battle: They took the field at dawn.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME, OE feld; c. G Feld

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Link To play the field

play (plā)

v. played, play·ing, plays

v. intr.

To occupy oneself in amusement, sport, or other recreation: children playing with toys.
1. To take part in a game: No minors are eligible to play.
2. To participate in betting; gamble.
3. To perform on an instrument: play on an accordion.
4. To emit sound or be sounded in performance: The band is playing.
To act in jest or sport: They're not arguing in earnest, they're just playing.
To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently; toy. See Synonyms at flirt.
To behave or converse sportively or playfully.
To act or conduct oneself in a specified way: play fair; an investor who plays cautiously.
To act, especially in a dramatic production.
Music
1. To perform on an instrument: play on an accordion.
2. To emit sound or be sounded in performance: The band is playing.
To be performed, as in a theater or on television: A good movie is playing tonight.
To be received or accepted: a speech that played poorly with the voters.
To move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly: The breeze played on the water.
To function or discharge uninterruptedly: The fountains played in the courtyard.
To move or operate freely within a bounded space, as machine parts do.

v. tr.

1. To perform or act (a role or part) in a dramatic performance.
2. To assume the role of; act as: played the peacemaker at the meeting.
3. To engage in (a game or sport): play hockey; play chess.
4. To compete against in a game or sport.
5. To occupy or work at (a position) in a game: Lou Gehrig played first base.
6. To employ (a player) in a game or position: Let's play her at first base.
7. To use or move (a card or piece) in a game: play the ace of clubs
8. To hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis: played a strong backhand.
9. To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of: No foul was called because he was playing the ball.
10. To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.
11. To make bets on: play the races.
12. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
13. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
To perform (a theatrical work) on or as if on the stage.
To present a theatrical performance in (a given place): The company played Detroit last week.
To pretend to be; mimic the activities of: played cowboy; played the star.
1. To engage in (a game or sport): play hockey; play chess.
2. To compete against in a game or sport.
3. To occupy or work at (a position) in a game: Lou Gehrig played first base.
4. To employ (a player) in a game or position: Let's play her at first base.
5. To use or move (a card or piece) in a game: play the ace of clubs
6. To hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis: played a strong backhand.
7. To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of: No foul was called because he was playing the ball.
8. To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.
9. To make bets on: play the races.
10. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
11. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
1. To bet; wager: played ten dollars on the horse.
2. To make bets on: play the races.
3. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
4. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
To perform or put into effect, especially as a jest or deception: play a joke on a friend.
To handle; manage: played the matter quietly.
To use or manipulate, especially for one's own interests: played his opponents against each other.
Music
1. To perform on (an instrument): play the guitar.
2. To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.
To cause (a compact disk or audiocassette, for example) to emit recorded sounds.
To discharge or direct in or as if in a continuous stream: play a hose on a fire.
To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly: play lights over the dance floor.
To exhaust (a hooked fish) by allowing it to pull on the line.

1. A literary work written for performance on the stage; a drama.
2. The performance of such a work.
3. The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport: After a time-out, play resumed. The golf tournament featured expert play.
4. The act or manner of using a card, piece, or ball in a game or sport: my partner's play of the last trump; his clumsy play of the rebound.
5. A move or an action in a game: It's your play. The runner was thrown out in a close play.
6. Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.
7. Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents. See Synonyms at room.
8. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
9. To participate in a playoff.
Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.
Fun or jesting: It was all done in play.
1. The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport: After a time-out, play resumed. The golf tournament featured expert play.
2. The act or manner of using a card, piece, or ball in a game or sport: my partner's play of the last trump; his clumsy play of the rebound.
3. A move or an action in a game: It's your play. The runner was thrown out in a close play.
4. Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.
5. Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents. See Synonyms at room.
6. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
7. To participate in a playoff.
Participation in betting; gambling.
Manner of dealing with others; conduct: fair play.
An attempt to obtain something; a bid: a play for sympathy.
1. Action, motion, or use: the play of the imagination.
2. Freedom or occasion for action; scope: give full play to an artist's talents. See Synonyms at room.
3. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
4. To participate in a playoff.
Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.
Quick, often irregular movement or action, especially of light or color: the play of color on iridescent feathers.
To participate in; engage in.
To do or take part in halfheartedly.
Sports
1. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
2. To participate in a playoff.
To set (one individual or party) in opposition to another so as to advance one's own interests: a parent who played off one child against another.

Phrasal Verb(s):
play along Informal To cooperate or pretend to cooperate: decided to play along with the robbers for a while.
play aroundTo philander.
play at

To participate in; engage in.
To do or take part in halfheartedly.

play backTo replay (a recently recorded tape, for example).
play downTo minimize the importance of; make little of: played down the defect to protect the troops' morale.
play off

Sports
1. To establish the winner of (a tie) by playing in an additional game or series of games.
2. To participate in a playoff.
To set (one individual or party) in opposition to another so as to advance one's own interests: a parent who played off one child against another.

play on/uponTo take advantage of (another's attitudes or feelings) for one's own interests: demagogues who play on popular fears.
play outTo use up; exhaust: Our strength was played out early in the contest.
play upTo emphasize or publicize: She played up her experience during the job interview.

Idiom(s):
in play

Sports In a position to be legally or feasibly played: The ball is now in play.
In a position, or rumored to be in a position of possible corporate takeover: The company's stock rose in price when it was said to be in play.

Idiom(s):
out of play Sports Not in a position to be legally or feasibly played.

Idiom(s):
play ball Slang To cooperate: The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us.

Idiom(s):
play both ends against the middleTo set opposing parties or interests against one another so as to advance one's own goals.

Idiom(s):
play fast and looseTo behave in a recklessly irresponsible or deceitful manner: played fast and loose with the facts.

Idiom(s):
play for timeTo use delaying tactics; temporize.

Idiom(s):
play games Slang To be evasive or deceptive: Quit playing games and tell me what you want.

Idiom(s):
play hard to getTo pretend to be inaccessible or uninterested, as when flirting.

Idiom(s):
play in Peoria Slang To be acceptable to average constituents or consumers.

Idiom(s):
play into the hands ofTo act or behave so as to give an advantage to (an opponent).

Idiom(s):
play (one's) cards Informal To use the resources or strategies at one's disposal: played her cards right and got promoted.

Idiom(s):
play possumTo pretend to be sleeping or dead.

Idiom(s):
play the fieldTo date more than one person.

Idiom(s):
play the game Informal To behave according to the accepted customs or standards.

Idiom(s):
play up toTo curry favor with.

Idiom(s):
play with a full deck Slang To be of sound mind: didn't seem to be playing with a full deck.

Idiom(s):
play with fireTo take part in a dangerous or risky undertaking.

Idiom(s):
play with (oneself) Vulgar Slang To masturbate.

[Middle English playen, from Old English plegian; see dlegh- in Indo-European roots.]
play'a·bil'i·ty n., play'a·ble adj.

Word Origin & History

field (n.)

O.E. feld "plain, open land" (as opposed to woodland), also "a parcel of land marked off and used for pasture or tillage," probably related to O.E. folde "earth, land," from P.Gmc. *felthuz "flat land," from PIE *pel(e)-tu-, from base *pele- "flat, to spread" (cf. L. planus "flat, level," O.C.S. polje "field;" see plane (1)). Common W.Gmc. (cf. O.Fris. feld, M.H.G. velt, Ger. Feld), but not found outside it (Sw. fält, Dan. felt are borrowed from Ger.), though Finnish pelto "field" is believed to have been adapted from P.Gmc. The Eng. spelling with -ie- is probably the work of Anglo-Fr. scribes. The verb meaning "to go out to fight" is 16c., from the n. in the sense of "battlefield" (c.1300). Collective use for "all engaged in a sport" (or, in horseracing, all but the favorite) is 1742; play the field "avoid commitment" (1936) is from notion of gamblers betting on other horses than the favorite. The verb meaning "to stop and return the ball" is first recorded 1823, originally in cricket; figurative sense is from 1902. Field day (1747) was originally a day of military exercise and review; fig. sense is from 1827.

Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: field
Pronunciation: 'fE(&)ld
Function: noun
1 : an area or division of an activity field>
2 : a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior
3 a : a region of embryonic tissue potentially capable of a particular type ofdifferentiation field> b : a region or space in which a given effect (as magnetism) exists
4 a : an area that is perceived or underobservation; especially : the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument —see VISUAL FIELD b : the site of a surgical operation

Science Dictionary

field (fēld) Pronunciation Key

A distribution in a region of space of the strength and direction of a force, such as the electrostatic force near an electrically charged object, that would act on a body at any given point in that region. See also electric field , magnetic field.
The region whose image is visible to the eye or accessible to an optical instrument.
A set of elements having two operations, designated addition and multiplication, satisfying the conditions that multiplication is distributive over addition, that the set is a group under addition, and that the elements with the exception of the additive identity (0) form a group under multiplication. The set of all rational numbers is a field.
1. In a database, a space for a single item of information contained in a record.
2. An interface element in a graphical user interface that accepts the input of text.

Idioms & Phrases

play the field

Date more than one person; avoid an exclusive commitment. For example, All of Joe's friends are married now, but he continues to play the field. This term originated in British horseracing, where it meant "to bet on every horse in a race except the favorite." It was transferred to other activities about 1930.

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