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please

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please

  [pleez] adverb, verb, pleased, pleas⋅ing.
–adverb
1. (used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.) if you would be so obliging; kindly: Please come here. Will you please turn the radio off?
–verb (used with object)
2. to act to the pleasure or satisfaction of: to please the public.
3. to be the pleasure or will of: May it please your Majesty.
–verb (used without object)
4. to like, wish, or feel inclined: Go where you please.
5. to give pleasure or satisfaction; be agreeable: manners that please.
—Idiom
6. if you please,
a. if it be your pleasure; if you like or prefer.
b. (used as an exclamation expressing astonishment, indignation, etc.): The missing letter was in his pocket, if you please!
Use please in a Sentence
Origin:
1275–1325; (v.) ME plesen, plaisen < MF plaisir ≪ L placēre to please, seem good (see placid ); the use of please with requests, etc., is presumably a reduction of the clause (it) please you may it please you, later reinforced by imper. use of intransit. please to be pleased, wish

Related forms:
pleas⋅a⋅ble, adjective
pleas⋅ed⋅ly  [plee-zid-lee, pleezd-] , adverb
pleas⋅ed⋅ness, noun
pleaser, noun

Synonyms:
4. choose, desire, prefer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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please   (plēz)   
v.   pleased, pleas·ing, pleas·es

v.   tr.

  1. To give enjoyment, pleasure, or satisfaction to; make glad or contented.

  2. To be the will or desire of: May it please the court to admit this firearm as evidence.

v.   intr.

  1. To give satisfaction or pleasure; be agreeable: waiters who try hard to please.

  2. To have the will or desire; wish: Do as you please. Sit down, if you please.

adv.  

  1. If it is your desire or pleasure; if you please. Used in polite requests: Please stand back. Pay attention, please.

  2. Yes. Used in polite affirmative replies to offers: May I help you? Please.


[Middle English plesen, from Old French plaisir; see pleasant.]
pleas'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to give pleasure to: was pleased by their success; a gift that would delight any child; praise that gladdens the spirit; progress that gratified all concerned; compliments that tickle their vanity.
Antonym: displease
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

please  (v.)
c.1325, "to be agreeable," from O.Fr. plaisir (Fr. plaire) "to please," from L. placere "to be acceptable, be liked, be approved," related to placare "to soothe, quiet," from PIE base *p(e)lag- "to smooth, make even" (cf. Gk. plax, gen. plakos "level surface," plakoeis "flat;" Lett. plakt "to become flat;" O.N. flaga "layer of earth;" Norw. flag "open sea;" O.E. floh "piece of stone, fragment;" O.H.G. fluoh "cliff"). Intransitive sense (e.g. do as you please) first recorded 1500; imperative use (e.g. please do this), first recorded 1622, was probably a shortening of if it please (you) (1388). Verbs for "please" supply the stereotype polite word ("Please come in," short for may it please you to ...) in many languages (Fr., It.), "But more widespread is the use of the first singular of a verb for 'ask, request' " [Buck, who cites Ger. bitte, Pol. prasze, etc.] Sp. favor is short for hace el favor "do the favor." Dan. has in this sense vær saa god, lit. "be so good."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

please

see as you please.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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