There were so many good words on this wiki that I could use for a definition. Any word on Trey's page would be suitable (refer to my trope definition). But there is one phrase that has been repeated a few times and it has intrigued me. The full quote can be found on Trey's page, "...the universe wants to play, and play often begins with a miscue or two..." - Trey

-To break down the meaning of the word accurately, I went to my old friend, dictionary.com. I know it is a vague word with many meanings, but I typed in "play" just to see the broadest scope it could come up with. There were 28 entries on my first search, and the first entry had 94 sub-definitions, here's the link, but I'll save you the reading and put my favorites here.

v. played, play·ing, plays

1. 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.

3. To act in jest or sport: They're not arguing in earnest, they're just playing.

4. To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently; toy. See Synonyms at flirt.

5. To behave or converse sportively or playfully.

6. To act or conduct oneself in a specified way: play fair; an investor who plays cautiously.

7. To act, especially in a dramatic production.

- The above definitions are what my mind thinks of for this word, but to be fair to the definition I will add more varied meanings of the word that appeared in my search.

1. a dramatic composition or piece; drama.

2. a dramatic performance, as on the stage.

3. exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.

4. fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play.

5. a pun.

6. the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play.

7. the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game.

8. an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match.

9. one's turn to play: Whose play is it?

10. a playing for stakes; gambling.

-There really are so many more definitions of the word that I could make this page into a short novel. But I will stop there for now with the formal definitions and I will get into my own ideas about the word and how I define it and break it down to my level of understanding.

What definition of playful am I refering to here. well you could plug in many forms and it would fit in my case (especially if you add in some of the definitions from classmates further down). It is amazing how one small sentence can have such a multitude of meanings and insinuations depending on it's context and purpose.

For my primary thoughts of the word "play" - I think of playing as children do, like playing on a playground, playing with legos, playing kickball, etc... or playing around, like goofballing (if I may create my own term). The more I think about it, the more I find that most all of my thoughts or "definitions" of the word refer to my childhood, or childhood activities. I myself am still a child, and will continue to be so until I die, so I guess this is fitting.

My secondary thoughts on the word are leaning toward the thought of playing as in playing along, and interacting. To play with someone in this sense does not only mean to play duck duck goose with them, but to interact with them on whatever level you choose. Or to play with someone's mind, interacting with their mind and thier thoughts, and manipulating them as you please (muahaha!).

My tertiary thoughts drift toward to play, musically. I have been a band nerd for the better part of my life, and music intrigues me, although I am ashamed to say I am not very learned in it, all I can do is play instruments and read music. I (used to) play the piano, the flute, base flute (a little), the piccollo, and the clarinet (a little). Currently interested in learning the guitar and relearning my old piano skills.

Quaternary thoughts (thanks to Brian for figuring out what comes after tertiary) are of the noun, a play, such as with actors on a stage. I am a dramatic person, so a play suits me well. My mind reads like a play, sometimes I imagine what my daydreams would be like acted out in a play....well when I'm bored anyway.

-The more I think about it, the more I realize how versitile the word is. Play. Another way I use the word on a regular basis is "quit playing with me" Meaning quit messing with me or F***ing with me. I like this definition because it is one of the few negative versions of the word. Not necessarily that the word itself is negative, but it seems to have negative connotations here. This is another reason I chose to define this word, because my definition was able to go from children's games to f***ing with someone. Again, I could probably make a novel out of the many definitions of the word and how many different ways I myself use the word on a regular basis.

-- (random linkage) I also found this link made by Jessica (not sure which jessica though) I believe from about a month ago.

Lila: purposeless play.

-Lila sometimes spelled leela is a concept from Hinduism that explains the universe as a cosmic puppet theater or playground for the gods. "Lila" literally means "play," but in religious texts refers to "purposeless play" - life as a spontaneous game. Because worldly roles and duties (dharma) are divinely assigned and beyond human control in Hindu philosophy, lila is as simple as "might as well enjoy it." Lila, purposeless play, is both a purpose in itself and the reward of every living being, and is therefore considered divine.

Caitlin - "Play is something that delights the soul, not something that makes you want to kill yourself." (I particularly liked this one, definitely the most insightful, yet it rolled off her tongue like she knew I was going to ask the question before the words came out of my mouth.)

Steven - "Kid 'n play" check it out (Too young for this reference but interesting none the less.)

Brian - "kids running around outside doing whatever...children." (Ahh...similar to my own thoughts, a fellow child for life perhaps? Also I kind of want to link Steven and Brian's responses together, because although they are two completely different responses, they both seem to have a core notion of nostalgia.)

Crystal - "Sexual play...foreplay" (Oh...predictable Crystal ;))

Cory - "This isn't the first thing that comes to mind, but rather the fist thing that came to mind when searching for something other than what everyone else had mentioned: as a verb, to play a song (either on traditional instruments or to press "PLAY"), or perhaps a play (theater)... Along the lines of what's been expressed thus far, though, I'd say to f*ck around with not much regard (i.e. there's no effort made to predetermine the results of your actions)." (I really like the last definition response here!)

Sarah Mae - "Something...but then again...anything that can make me giggle."