Plāçe1, n.
n. [Fr. place, Pr. plassa, Sp. plaza, Pg. praça, It. piazza, from Lat. platea, a street, an area, a court-yard, from Gr. πλατύς, πλατεῖα, flat, broad; Ger. platz, Sw. plats, Dan. plads, D. plaats.]
Sense 1. A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court-yard. “Hangman’s boys in the market-place.” Shak.
At Eltham Place I told your majesty. Shak.
Sense 2. Hence, any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct from all other space, as related to any other portion, or as appropriated to some definite object or use; separate division; apartment; room; position; ground; site; spot; rarely, unbounded space.
This is the place appointed. Shak.
What place can be for us Within heaven’s bound? Milton.
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.
Sense 3. Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; sometimes, official station or post; occupation; calling.
Men in great place are thrice servants. Bacon.
I know my place, as I would they should do theirs. Shak.
Do you your office, or give up your place. Shak.
Sense 4. A position which is occupied and held as a residence; as, (a.) A stately or elegant dwelling; a mansion.
With green trees yshadened was his place. Chaucer.
(b.) A collection of dwellings; a village, town, or city. “Are you native of this place?” Shak. (c.) A country; the seat of a nation. (d.) A fortified town or post; a stronghold.
Sense 5. Possibility of existence or action; opportunity.
Sense 6. Definite portion or passage of a written or printed document.
The place of the Scripture which he read was this. Acts viii. 32.
I have sometimes solitarily pleased myself with the perusing and comparing of two places of Scripture. Fuller.
Sense 7. Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead;—the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied. “In place of Lord Bassanio.” Shak.
Sense 8. Reception; effect;—implying the making room for.
Sense 9. (Astron.) Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body;—usually defined by its right ascension and declination, or latitude and longitude.
High place (Script.), a mount on which sacrifices were offered.—To give place, to make room; to yield; to give way. “Let all the rest give place.” Shak.—To have place. (a.) To have a station, room, or seat; as, such desires can have no place in a good heart. (b.) To have actual existence.—To take place. (a.) To come to pass; to occur. (b.) To take precedence or priority. Addison. (c.) To take effect. “But none of these excuses would take place.” Spenser.—To take the place of, to be substituted for.
Synonyms—Situation; seat; abode; position; locality; location; site; spot; office; employment; charge; function; trust.