n. [ F., fr. L. platea a street, an area, a courtyard, from Gr. platei^a a street, properly fem. of platy`s, flat, broad; akin to Skr. p&rsdot_;thu, Lith. platus. Cf. Flawn, Piazza, Plate, Plaza. ] 1. Any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct from all other space, or appropriated to some definite object or use; position; ground; site; spot; rarely, unbounded space. [ 1913 Webster ] Here is the place appointed. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] What place can be for us Within heaven's bound? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] The word place has sometimes a more confused sense, and stands for that space which any body takes up; and so the universe is a place. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court or short part of a street open only at one end. “Hangman boys in the market place.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A position which is occupied and held; a dwelling; a mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or post; a stronghold; a region or country. [ 1913 Webster ] Are you native of this place? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; also, official station; occupation; calling. “The enervating magic of place.” Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ] Men in great place are thrice servants. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] I know my place as I would they should do theirs. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied). “In place of Lord Bassanio.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. A definite position or passage of a document. [ 1913 Webster ] The place of the scripture which he read was this. Acts viii. 32. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as, he said in the first place. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. Reception; effect; -- implying the making room for. [ 1913 Webster ] My word hath no place in you. John viii. 37. [ 1913 Webster ] 9. (Astron.) Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body; -- usually defined by its right ascension and declination, or by its latitude and longitude. [ 1913 Webster ] 10. (Racing) The position of first, second, or third at the finish, esp. the second position. In betting, to win a bet on a horse for place it must, in the United States, finish first or second, in England, usually, first, second, or third. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] Place of arms (Mil.), a place calculated for the rendezvous of men in arms, etc., as a fort which affords a safe retreat for hospitals, magazines, etc. Wilhelm. -- High place (Script.), a mount on which sacrifices were offered. “Him that offereth in the high place.” Jer. xlviii. 35. -- In place, in proper position; timely. -- Out of place, inappropriate; ill-timed; as, his remarks were out of place. -- Place kick (Football), the act of kicking the ball after it has been placed on the ground. -- Place name, the name of a place or locality. London Academy. -- To give place, to make room; to yield; to give way; to give advantage. “Neither give place to the devil.” Eph. iv. 27. “Let all the rest give place.” Shak. -- To have place, to have a station, room, or seat; as, such desires can have no place in a good heart. -- To take place. (a) To come to pass; to occur; as, the ceremony will not take place. (b) To take precedence or priority. Addison. (c) To take effect; to prevail. “If your doctrine takes place.” Berkeley. “But none of these excuses would take place.” Spenser. -- To take the place of, to be substituted for. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Situation; seat; abode; position; locality; location; site; spot; office; employment; charge; function; trust; ground; room; stead. [ 1913 Webster ] |