Middle English edit

Etymology 1 edit

From a conflation of Old English pleġan and pleġian, from Proto-West Germanic *plehan and *plegōn. Equivalent to pleye +‎ -en (infinitival suffix).

Alternative forms edit

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

pleyen

  1. To entertain; to play or engage in recreation or sports:
    1. To engage in a game or sport, especially for money.
    2. To entertain oneself; to play or engage in recreation with oneself
    3. To go on a holiday or a journey for the purpose of enjoyment.
    4. To jump satisfactorily; bounce gleefully.
    5. To copulate and/or engage in foreplay.
  2. To frolic or bounce around.
  3. To bet or wager something in a game.
  4. To engage in social behaviour; to make small-talk.
  5. To act in a certain manner; to act like (something or someone):
    1. To imitate or deceive; to recast or recreate a past event.
    2. To participate in a theatrical production.
  6. To play music; to sing and/or play an instrument.
  7. To plaw; to reach the boiling point.
  8. (rare) To provide entertainment, happiness or fun; to participate in a performance that is neither theatrical or musical.
  9. (rare) To work at; do something as one's job, career, or living.
Conjugation edit
Related terms edit
Descendants edit
  • English: play, plaw
  • Scots: play
References edit

Etymology 2 edit

From ple (plea) +‎ -en (infinitival suffix).

Alternative forms edit

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

pleyen

  1. To support a legal plea or allegation.
  2. To produce proof or evidence for a plea.
Conjugation edit
Related terms edit
Descendants edit
References edit