<p><strong>noun</strong></p><ul><li>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.</li><li>one of a set of thin pieces of cardboard with spots, figures, etc., used in playing various games; playing card.</li><li>cards, (usually used with a singular verb) a game or games played with such a set.</li><li>the playing of such a game: to win at cards.</li><li>Casino: the winning of 27 cards or more.</li><li>Whist: tricks won in excess of six.</li><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>a specified topic that elicits strong reactions, brought up as part of a strategic move to gain an advantage: She was accused of playing the gender card when her male boss passed her over for promotion.</li><li>a person who is amusing or facetious.</li><li>any person, especially one with some indicated characteristic: a queer card.</li></ul><p><strong>verb</strong></p><ul><li>to provide with a card.</li><li>to fasten on a card.</li><li>to write, list, etc., on cards.</li><li>Slang: to examine the identity card or papers of: The bartender was carding all youthful customers to be sure they were of legal drinking age.</li></ul>