field

noun

1》 an area of open land, especially one planted with crops or pasture.

    ↘a piece of land used for a sport or game.

    ↘a large area of land or water completely covered in snow or ice.

    ↘an area rich in a natural product, typically oil or gas.

2》 a branch of study or sphere of activity.

    ↘Computing a part of a record, representing an item of data.

3》 a space or range within which objects are visible from a viewpoint or through a piece of apparatus: the motorist's field of vision.

4》 (the field) all the participants in a contest or sport.

    ↘Cricket fielders collectively.

    ↘a fielder of specified ability.

5》 Physics the region in which a force such as gravity or magnetism is effective, regardless of the presence or absence of a material medium.

6》 Mathematics a system subject to two binary operations analogous to those for the multiplication and addition of real numbers, and having similar commutative and distributive laws.

7》 Heraldry the surface of an escutcheon or of one of its divisions.

verb

1》 chiefly Cricket & Baseball attempt to catch or stop the ball and return it after it has been hit.

    ↘catch or stop (the ball) and return it.

2》 select for a game or to stand in an election.

3》 deal with (a difficult question, telephone call, etc.).

adjective carried out or working in the natural environment, rather than in a laboratory or office.

↘(of military equipment) light and mobile for use on campaign.

↘used in names of animals or plants found in the open country, e.g. field mouse.

Phrases

hold the field remain the most important.

in the field

1》 engaged in combat or manoeuvres.

2》 engaged in fieldwork.

play the field informal indulge in a series of casual sexual relationships.

take the field

1》 (of a team) go on to a field to begin a game.

2》 start a military campaign.

Origin

OE feld, of W. Gmc origin.