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)
Idiom4.
to like, wish, or feel inclined: Go where you please.
5.
to give pleasure or satisfaction; be agreeable: manners that please.
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!
Origin:
1275–1325; (v.) Middle English plesen, plaisen < Middle French plaisir ≪ Latin 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 imperative use of intransitive please to be pleased, wish
1275–1325; (v.) Middle English plesen, plaisen < Middle French plaisir ≪ Latin 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 imperative use of intransitive please to be pleased, wish
Related forms
pleas·a·ble, adjective
pleas·ed·ness, noun
pleas·er, noun
half-pleased, adjective
out·please, verb (used with object), out·pleased, out·pleas·ing.
o·ver·please, verb, o·ver·pleased, o·ver·pleas·ing.
self-pleased, adjective
self-pleas·er, noun
un·pleas·a·ble, adjective
un·pleased, adjective
well-pleased, adjective
Synonyms
4. choose, desire, prefer.
4. choose, desire, prefer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Unpleasable
is always a great word to know.
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| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
please
early 14c., "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 c.1500; imperative use (e.g. please do this), first recorded 1620s, was probably a shortening of if it please (you) (late 14c.). 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." Danish has in this sense vær saa god, lit. "be so good."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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