Definitions for "Cosplay"
Short for “costume play,” this term refers to the practice of anime fans dressing up as their favorite anime characters and acting out either scenes from the anime or original situations involving the characters. A staple feature of anime conventions on both sides of the Pacific.
"costume player". Refers to fans who like to dress up as their favorite characters when they attend conventions. Quite often there are contests or organized cosplay shows at such conventions.
costume play. Like masquerades in comic and science fiction, anime, manga, and music fans dress as their favourite characters or musicians.