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by-play

or by·play

[bahy-pley]
See more synonyms for by-play on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an action or speech carried on to the side while the main action proceeds, especially on the stage.
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Origin of by-play

First recorded in 1805–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for byplay

Historical Examples

  • They rode too hard, they were too much in earnest, to take the time for byplay.

    'Me-Smith'

    Caroline Lockhart

  • Miss Leonora sat rather grimly looking on at all this byplay.

    The Perpetual Curate

    Mrs [Margaret] Oliphant

  • He found time also, when the press of the season was over, for some byplay as a reviewer.

    Musical Criticisms

    Arthur Johnstone

  • Some byplay among the gypsies supplies the humor of the situations.

  • Husband and wife "took turns" from the single cup; there was gayety and byplay.

    The Higher Court

    Mary Stewart Daggett

British Dictionary definitions for byplay

by-play

noun
  1. secondary action or talking carried on apart while the main action proceeds, esp in a play
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012