Lewis & Short

2. lūsus, ūs, m. [ludo], a playing, play, game (not in Cic.).

  1. I. Lit.: virgineis exercent lusibus undas Naides, Ov. M. 14, 556: aleae, Suet. Calig. 41: calculorum, Plin. Ep. 7, 24: nec me offenderit lusus in pueris, Quint. 1, 3, 10; cf. id. 1, 1, 20: eburneas litterarum formas in lusum offerre, id. 1, 1, 26: ediscere inter lusum, id. 1, 1, 36: in lusu duodecim scriptorum, id. 11, 2, 38: regnum lusu sortiri, i. e. by throwing dice, Tac. A. 13, 15: solent quidam et cogere ad lusum, Dig. 11, 5, 2.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. Play, sport, game (that is done by way of amusement): fas est et carmine remitti, non dico continuo ac longo, sed hoc arguto et brevi. Lusus vocantur, Plin. Ep. 7, 9, 10: Trojae lusum exhibuit, Suet. Claud. 21.
    2. B. Sportive dalliance, toying: sunt apti lusibus anni, Ov. Am. 2, 3, 13; Prop. 1, 10, 9.
    3. C. Jest, fun, mockery: dant de se respondentibus venustissimos lusus, i. e. make themselves ridiculous, Quint. 5, 13, 46: lusum ludere aliquem, Gell. 18, 13, 4.