game
Pronunciation: (gām), [key]
— n., adj., v., gam•er, gam•est, gamed, gam•ing.
—n.
- an amusement or pastime: children's games.
- the material or equipment used in playing certain games: a store selling toys and games.
- a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators.
- a single occasion of such an activity, or a definite portion of one: the final game of the season; a rubber of three games at bridge.
- the number of points required to win a game.
- the score at a particular stage in a game: With five minutes to play, the game was 7 to 0.
- a particular manner or style of playing a game: Her game of chess is improving.
- anything resembling a game, as in requiring skill, endurance, or adherence to rules: the game of diplomacy.
- a trick or strategy: to see through someone's game.
- fun; sport of any kind; joke: That's about enough of your games.
- wild animals, including birds and fishes, such as are hunted for food or taken for sport or profit.
- the flesh of such wild animals or other game, used as food: a dish of game.
- any object of pursuit, attack, abuse, etc.: The new boy at school seemed to be fair game for practical jokers.
- a business or profession: He's in the real-estate game.
- fighting spirit; pluck.
- to make fun of; ridicule: to make game of the weak and defenseless.
- to act in an evasive, deceitful, manipulative, or trifling manner in dealing with others: Don't play games with me—I want to know if you love me or not!
- We naively assumed that our allies would continue to play the game.
- to act or play in accordance with the rules.
- to act honorably or justly:We naively assumed that our allies would continue to play the game.
—adj.
- pertaining to or composed of animals hunted or taken as game or to their flesh.
- having a fighting spirit; plucky.
- having the required spirit or will (often fol. by for or an infinitive): Who's game for a hike through the woods?
- He knew that as a candidate he didn't have a chance in the world, but he campaigned anyway and died game.
- to die after a brave struggle.
- to remain steadfast or in good spirits at the moment of defeat:He knew that as a candidate he didn't have a chance in the world, but he campaigned anyway and died game.
—v.i.
- to play games of chance for stakes; gamble.
—v.t.
- to squander in gaming (usually fol. by away).
game
Pronunciation: (gām), [key]
— adj.
- lame: a game leg.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.