place noun [F., fr. L. platea a street, an area, a courtyard, from Gr. πλατεῖα a street, properly fem. of πλατύς, flat, broad; akin to Skr. pṛthu, 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.

Here 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.

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.

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.

Are you native of this place? Shak.

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.

Men in great place are thrice servants. Bacon.

I know my place as I would they should do theirs. Shak.

5. Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied).

“In place of Lord Bassanio.” Shak.

6. A definite position or passage of a document.

The place of the scripture which he read was this. Acts viii. 32.

7. Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as, he said in the first place.

8. Reception; effect; – implying the making room for.

My word hath no place in you. John viii. 37.

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.

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.

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.

Syn. – Situation; seat; abode; position; locality; location; site; spot; office; employment; charge; function; trust; ground; room; stead.

Place transitive verb [imperfect or past participle Placed; present participle or verbal noun Placing.] [Cf. F. placer. See Place, noun]

1. To assign a place to; to put in a particular spot or place, or in a certain relative position; to direct to a particular place; to fix; to settle; to locate; as, to place a book on a shelf; to place balls in tennis. Syn. – Put.

Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown. Shak.

2. To put or set in a particular rank, office, or position; to surround with particular circumstances or relations in life; to appoint to certain station or condition of life; as, in whatever sphere one is placed.

Place such over them to be rulers. Ex. xviii. 21.

3. To put out at interest; to invest; to loan; as, to place money in a bank. 4. To set; to fix; to repose; as, to place confidence in a friend.

“My resolution 's placed.” Shak.

5. To attribute; to ascribe; to set down.

Place it for her chief virtue. Shak.

6. (Racing) To determine or announce the place of at the finish. Usually, in horse racing only the first three horses are placed officially.

7. (Rugby Football) To place-kick ( a goal).

8. to recognize or identify (a person). [Colloq. U.S.]