Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: plaisir, from Latin placere 'to please, be decided'

please

2 verb
     
please2 W3
1 [intransitive,transitive not in progressive] to make someone happy or satisfied:
a business that wants to please its customers
She did everything she could to please him.
Most children are eager to please.
be hard/easy/impossible etc to please
She's hard to please. Everything has to be perfect.
2 [intransitive not in progressive] used in some phrases to show that someone can do or have what they want:
She does what she pleases.
however/whatever etc you please
You can spend the money however you please.
With the Explorer pass, you can get on and off the bus as you please.
3

please yourself

spoken used when telling someone to do whatever they like, even though really you think they are making the wrong choice:
'I don't think I'll go.' 'Okay, please yourself.'
4

if you please

old-fashioned
a) formal used to politely ask someone to do something:
Close the door, if you please.
b) British English used to show that you are surprised, angry, or annoyed about something:
He asked me, in my own house if you please, to leave the room!
5

bold/calm/cool etc as you please

British English spoken very bold, calm etc, in a way that is surprising:
He just walked in and sat down, as bold as you please.
6

please God

used to express a very strong hope or wish:
Everything will be all right, please God.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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