a usually rectangular piece of stiff paper, thin pasteboard, or plastic for various uses, as to write information on or printed as a means of identifying the holder: a 3″ × 5″ file card; a membership card.
2.
one of a set of thin pieces of cardboard with spots, figures, etc., used in playing various games; playing card.
3.
cards, (usually used with a singular verb)
a.
a game or games played with such a set.
b.
the playing of such a game: to win at cards.
c.
Casino. the winning of 27 cards or more.
d.
Whist. tricks won in excess of six.
4.
Also called greeting card.a piece of paper or thin cardboard, usually folded, printed with a message of holiday greeting, congratulations, or other sentiment, often with an illustration or decorations, for mailing to a person on an appropriate occasion.
5.
something useful in attaining an objective, as a course of action or position of strength, comparable to a high card held in a game: If negotiation fails, we still have another card to play.
A flat, usually rectangular piece of stiff paper, cardboard, or plastic, especially:
One of a set or pack bearing significant numbers, symbols, or figures, used in games and in divination.
A greeting card.
A post card.
One bearing a person's name and other information, used for purposes of identification or classification.
One bearing the image and often the statistics of a sports figure.
A business card.
A credit card.
A magnetic card.
One used for recording information in a file: an index card; a recipe card.
A game played with cards.
The playing of games with cards.
A menu, as in a restaurant.
A wine list.
A circuit board, especially for use in a computer.
A punch card.
Something, such as an advantageous circumstance or tactical maneuver, that can be used to help gain an objective. Often used with play:"[He believed that] Soviet Russia ... had far more Iranian cards to play than the United States"(Theodore Draper).
An appeal to a specified issue or argument, usually one involving strong emotions. Often used with play:"His exposure as a racist ... allowed the defense to play the race card"(New York Times).
cards(used with a sing. or pl. verb)Games
A game played with cards.
The playing of games with cards.
A menu, as in a restaurant.
A wine list.
A circuit board, especially for use in a computer.
A punch card.
Something, such as an advantageous circumstance or tactical maneuver, that can be used to help gain an objective. Often used with play:"[He believed that] Soviet Russia ... had far more Iranian cards to play than the United States"(Theodore Draper).
An appeal to a specified issue or argument, usually one involving strong emotions. Often used with play:"His exposure as a racist ... allowed the defense to play the race card"(New York Times).
A program, especially for a sports event.
A menu, as in a restaurant.
A wine list.
A circuit board, especially for use in a computer.
A punch card.
Something, such as an advantageous circumstance or tactical maneuver, that can be used to help gain an objective. Often used with play:"[He believed that] Soviet Russia ... had far more Iranian cards to play than the United States"(Theodore Draper).
An appeal to a specified issue or argument, usually one involving strong emotions. Often used with play:"His exposure as a racist ... allowed the defense to play the race card"(New York Times).
Computer Science
A circuit board, especially for use in a computer.
A punch card.
Something, such as an advantageous circumstance or tactical maneuver, that can be used to help gain an objective. Often used with play:"[He believed that] Soviet Russia ... had far more Iranian cards to play than the United States"(Theodore Draper).
An appeal to a specified issue or argument, usually one involving strong emotions. Often used with play:"His exposure as a racist ... allowed the defense to play the race card"(New York Times).
A compass card.
Informal An eccentrically amusing person.
Something, such as an advantageous circumstance or tactical maneuver, that can be used to help gain an objective. Often used with play:"[He believed that] Soviet Russia ... had far more Iranian cards to play than the United States"(Theodore Draper).
An appeal to a specified issue or argument, usually one involving strong emotions. Often used with play:"His exposure as a racist ... allowed the defense to play the race card"(New York Times).
tr.v.
card·ed, card·ing, cards
To furnish with or attach to a card.
To list (something) on a card; catalog.
To check the identification of, especially in order to verify legal age.
Sports To warn or eject (a soccer player who has committed a flagrant foul) by showing a yellow card or a red card.
Phrasal Verb(s): card in
To sign in, as at a place of business, by use of a magnetic card.
card out
To sign out, as from a place of business, by use of a magnetic card.
Idiom(s):
card up (one's) sleeve
A secret resource or plan held in reserve: a tough negotiator who had a number of cards up his sleeve.
Idiom(s):
in the cards
Likely or certain to happen: My promotion to a higher position just isn't in the cards.
Idiom(s):
put/lay (one's) cards on the table
To make frank and clear revelation, as of one's motives or intentions.
[Middle English carde, from Old French carte, from Latin charta, paper made from papyrus, from Greek khartēs.]