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byplay. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
byplay, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
byplay in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
byplay you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From by- + play.
Pronunciation
Noun
byplay (countable and uncountable, plural byplays)
- (theater) Any action, carried out onstage during a performance, apart from the main action.
1959 October, Cecil J. Allen, “Locomotive Running Past and Present”, in Trains Illustrated, page 477:[...] there had been some amusing byplay with the enginemen as to what might be expected to happen if the engines failed to behave themselves properly.
1983, Frank Northen Magill, Magill's American film guide, volume 1, page 647:The father-son byplay is occasionally overdone and tedious, but there is a genuine warmth in both the Oland-Luke and the Toler-Sen Yung teamings.
- Any action, by supporting actor.
Translations
any action carried out onstage during a performance, apart from the main action
References