The term START OF A PLAY? can be answered by four different crossword solutions: ASSIST (6 letters), ACTI (4 letters), ACTONE (6 letters), and SCENEI (6 letters). ASSIST is a verb meaning to give help or support, ACTI is an abbreviation for act, ACTONE is a combination of the words act and one, and SCENEI is a combination of the words scene and one. All of these terms refer to the beginning of a play, which typically consists of an introduction, followed by the first act, then the first scene.