Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gamen; akin to Old High German gaman amusement
Date: before 12th century
(1) activity engaged in for diversion or amusement ; play
(2) the equipment for a game
b. often derisive or mocking jesting ; fun, sport <make game of a nervous player> 2. a. a procedure or strategy for gaining an end ; tactic b. an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver ; racket 3. a. (1) a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules with the participants in direct opposition to each other (2) a division of a larger contest (3) the number of points necessary to win (4) points scored in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose cards count up the highest (5) the manner of playing in a contest (6) the set of rules governing a game (7) a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport <a football team's kicking game> b. plural organized athletics c. (1) a field of gainful activity ; line <the newspaper game> (2) any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle <the dating game> <the game of politics>; also the course or period of such an activity <got into aviation early in the game> (3) area of expertise ; specialty 3 <comedy is not my game> 4. a. (1) animals under pursuit or taken in hunting; especially wild animals hunted for sport or food (2) the flesh of game animals b. archaic pluck c. a target or object especially of ridicule or attack — often used in the phrase fair game Synonyms: see fun • gamelike adjective II. verb (gamed; gaming) Date: 1512 intransitive verb to play for a stake transitive verb 1. archaic to lose or squander by gambling 2. to take dishonest advantage of ; cheat <game the tax system> III. adjective Date: 1610 1. a. having or showing a resolute unyielding spirit <game to the end> b. willing or ready to proceed <were game for anything> 2. of or relating to game <game laws> • gamely adverb • gameness noun IV. adjective Etymology: origin unknown Date: circa 1787 lame <a game leg>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.