English

play-by-play

Describing a sports commentary in which a commentator describes every action in some detail as it occurs, often assisted by a second commentator who provides background information and other comments.

    Etymology graph

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    • derived
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    • meaning component
    • sound component
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    Origin

    From play + by + play.

    From Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

    Lineage

    • partEnglishplay “To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recr…”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishpleyen
        • inheritedOld Englishpleġan
        • inheritedOld Englishplegian “to move about quickly, play”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishpleye
        • inheritedOld Englishplega “game”
    • partEnglishby “Near or next to.”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishby “town”
        • inheritedOld Englishbī “being near”
        • derivedOld Norsebýr “town, settlement”

    Sources