Game | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Gāme, n.

noun

[A-S. gamen, gomen, play, joke, Icel. gaman, joke, Dan. gammen, O. Sw. gamman, gaman, joy, O. H. Ger. gaman, joy, jest, allied to Skr. kam, to love. See infra.

Sense 1. Sport of any kind; jest; frolic.

We have had pastime here, and pleasing game. Shak.

Sense 2. A contrivance, arrangement, or institution designed to furnish sport, recreation, or amusement; as, a game of chance; games of skill; field games, and the like.

Sense 3. The use or practice of such a game; a single match at play; a single contest; as, a game at chess.

“Talk the game o’er between the deal.” Lloyd.

Sense 4. That which is gained, as the stake in a game.

Sense 5. Animals pursued and taken by sportsmen; wild meats designed for, or served at, table.

Those species of animals . . . distinguished from the rest by the well-known appellation of game. Blackstone.

Sense 6. Method of procedure; scheme pursued; projected line of operations; plan; project.

But war’s a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings should not play at. Cowper.

To make game of, to make sport of; to mock; to ridicule.

Gāme, a.

adjective

a. 1. Having a resolute, unyielding spirit, like that of the game-cock; ready to fight to the last; courageous; brave; resolute.

I was game . . . I felt that I could have fought even to the death. F. Irving.

When a young lady is as mild as she's game, and as game as she's mild, that's all I ask. Dickens.

Sense 2. Of, or pertaining to, such animals as are hunted for game.

To die game, to maintain a bold, unyielding spirit to the last.

Gāme, v. i.

verbintransitive

[imp. & p. p. GAMED; p. pr. & vb. n. GAMING.] [A-S. gamian, gamenian, to play. See supra.]

Sense 1. To play at any sport or diversion.

Sense 2. To play for a stake or prize; to use cards, dice, billiards, or other instruments, according to certain rules, with a view to win money or other thing waged upon the issue of the contest.

Sense 3. To practice playing for money or some other stake; to gamble.