card 1 (kärd)n.1. A flat, usually rectangular piece of stiff paper, cardboard, or plastic, especially:a. One of a set or pack bearing significant numbers, symbols, or figures, used in games and in divination.b. A greeting card.c. A postcard.d. One bearing a person’s name and other information, used for purposes of identification or classification.e. One bearing the image and often the statistics of a sports figure.f. A business card.g. A credit card.h. A magnetic card.i. One used for recording information in a file: an index card; a recipe card.2. cards(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games a. A game played with cards.b. The playing of games with cards.3. A program, especially for a sports event.4. a. A menu, as in a restaurant.b. A wine list.5. Computers a. A printed circuit board that plugs into a slot on a computer’s motherboard or into a port on the outside of a device, and performs a particular function, such as data storage or converting and processing signals for communication with other devices.b. A punch card.6. A compass card.7. Informal An eccentrically amusing person.8. a. 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).b. 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 1. To furnish with or attach to a card.2. To list (something) on a card; catalog.3. To check the identification of, especially in order to verify legal age.4. Sports To warn or eject (a soccer player who has committed a flagrant foul) by showing a yellow card or a red card.Phrasal Verbs: 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.Idioms: 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. in the cards Likely or certain to happen: My promotion to a higher position just isn’t in the cards. 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 khart?s.]card 2 (kärd)n.1. A wire-toothed brush or a machine fitted with rows of wire teeth, used to straighten and separate fibers, as of wool, prior to spinning.2. A device used to raise the nap on a fabric.tr.v. card·ed, card·ing, cards To comb out or brush with a card.[Middle English carde, from Medieval Latin cardus, from Latin carduus, thistle.]card?er n.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.card (k??d) n1. a piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard, usually rectangular, with varied uses, as for filing information in an index, bearing a written notice for display, entering scores in a game, etc2. such a card used for identification, reference, proof of membership, etc: library card; identity card; visiting card. 3. such a card used for sending greetings, messages, or invitations, often bearing an illustration, printed greetings, etc: Christmas card; birthday card. 4. one of a set of small pieces of cardboard, variously marked with significant figures, symbols, etc, used for playing games or for fortune-telling5. (Card Games) a. short for playing cardb. (as modifier): a card game. c. (in combination): cardsharp. 6. informal a witty, entertaining, or eccentric person7. (Banking & Finance) short for cheque card, credit card8. (Navigation) See compass card9. (Horse Racing) horse racing Also called: race card a daily programme of all the races at a meeting, listing the runners, riders, weights to be carried, distances to be run, and conditions of each race10. a thing or action used in order to gain an advantage, esp one that is concealed and kept in reserve until needed (esp in the phrase a card up one’s sleeve)11. (Electronics) short for printed circuit card. See printed circuit board[C15: from Old French carte, from Latin charta leaf of papyrus, from Greek khart?s, probably of Egyptian origin]card (k??d) vb (Textiles) (tr) to comb out and clean fibres of wool or cotton before spinningn (Tools) (formerly) a machine or comblike tool for carding fabrics or for raising the nap on cloth[C15: from Old French carde card, teasel, from Latin carduus thistle] ?carder nCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014card1 (k?rd) n. 1. a usu. rectangular piece of stiff paper, thin pasteboard, or plastic for various uses, as to record information or, when preprinted, to identify the holder. 2. one of a set of cards with spots, figures, etc., used in playing various games. 3. cards, (usu. with a sing. v.) a. a game or games played with such a set. b. the playing of such a game: to win at cards. 4. something useful in attaining an objective, comparable to a high card held in a game. 5. greeting card. 6. postcard. 7. calling card (def. 1). 8. credit card. 9. a card with a picture of a sports or other figure on one side and information about the figure on the other. 10. a program of the events at races, etc. 11. compass card. 12. a. punch card. b. board (def. 13a). 13. an amusing, witty, or prankish person. v.t. 14. to provide with a card. 15. to fasten on a card. 16. to write, list, etc., on cards. 17. to ask (a youth) to produce identification, esp. to check whether the person is of legal drinking age. Idioms: 1. in the cards, destined to occur. 2. put or lay one’s cards on the table, to be completely straightforward. [1350?1400; Old English: paper, document, letter