verb: Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pay, to, play.
verb: (by extension) To incur a cost to participate in an activity.
verb: (especially US, politics) To make a campaign contribution or illegal payment to avail oneself of business or other opportunities controlled by politicians.
noun: Any kind of charge to engage in an activity.
noun: (espeically US, politics) Campaign contributions (or outright bribes or graft) required to avail oneself of certain opportunities controlled by politicians, such as uncompetitive government contracts.
