a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or consist of two or three such units combined under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent that distinguishes blackʹbirdʹ from blackʹ birdʹ. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.
2.
words,
a.
speech or talk: to express one's emotion in words; Words mean little when action is called for.
b.
the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.
c.
contentious or angry speech; a quarrel: We had words and she walked out on me.
3.
a short talk or conversation: Marston, I'd like a word with you.
4.
an expression or utterance: a word of warning.
5.
warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.
6.
news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.
7.
a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.
8.
an authoritative utterance, or command: His word was law.
9.
Also called machine word.Computers. a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.
10.
(initial capital letter) Also called the Word, the Word of God.
a.
the Scriptures; the Bible.
b.
the Logos.
c.
the message of the gospel of Christ.
11.
a proverb or motto.
–verb (used with object)
12.
to express in words; select words to express; phrase: to word a contract with great care.
—Idioms
13.
at a word, in immediate response to an order or request; in an instant: At a word they came to take the situation in hand.
14.
be as good as one's word, to hold to one's promises.
15.
eat one's words, to retract one's statement, esp. with humility: They predicted his failure, but he made them eat their words.
16.
have a word, to talk briefly: Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.
17.
have no words for, to be unable to describe: She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.
18.
in a word, in summary; in short: In a word, there was no comparison. Also, in one word.
19.
in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out.
20.
keep one's word, to fulfill one's promise: I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.
21.
man of his word or woman of her word, a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.
22.
my word! or upon my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)
23.
of few words, laconic; taciturn: a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.
24.
of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy: a person of many words but of little wit.
25.
put in a good word for, to speak favorably of; commend: He put in a good word for her with the boss. Also, put in a word for.
26.
take one at one's word, to take a statement to be literal and true.
27.
take the words out of one's mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say.
28.
weigh one's words, to choose one's words carefully in speaking or writing: It was an important message, and he was weighing his words.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME, OE; c. D woord, G Wort, ON orth, Goth waurd; akin to OPruss wirds, L verbum word, Lith var̃das name]
In pre-Socratic philosophy, the principle governing the cosmos, the source of this principle, or human reasoning about the cosmos.
Among the Sophists, the topics of rational argument or the arguments themselves.
In Stoicism, the active, material, rational principle of the cosmos; nous. Identified with God, it is the source of all activity and generation and is the power of reason residing in the human soul.
In biblical Judaism, the word of God, which itself has creative power and is God's medium of communication with the human race.
In Hellenistic Judaism, a hypostasis associated with divine wisdom.
Judaism
In biblical Judaism, the word of God, which itself has creative power and is God's medium of communication with the human race.
In Hellenistic Judaism, a hypostasis associated with divine wisdom.
Christianity In Saint John's Gospel, especially in the prologue (1:1-14), the creative word of God, which is itself God and incarnate in Jesus. Also called Word.
A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.
Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment: May I say a word about that?
Computer Science A set of bits constituting the smallest unit of addressable memory.
words Discourse or talk; speech: Actions speak louder than words.
wordsMusic The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.
An assurance or promise; sworn intention: She has kept her word.
A command or direction; an order: gave the word to retreat.
A verbal signal; a password or watchword.
News: Any word on your promotion? See Synonyms at news.
words Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.
Used euphemistically in combination with the initial letter of a term that is considered offensive or taboo or that one does not want to utter: "Although economists here will not call it a recession yet, the dreaded 'R' word is beginning to pop up in the media"(Francine S. Kiefer).
O.E. word "speech, talk, utterance, word," from P.Gmc. *wurdan (cf. O.S., O.Fris. word, Du. woord, O.H.G., Ger. wort, O.N. orð, Goth. waurd), from PIE *were- "speak, say" (see verb). The meaning "promise" was in O.E., as was the theological sense. In the plural, the meaning "verbal altercation" (as in to have words with someone) dates from 1462. Wordy is O.E. wordig "verbose." Wording "choice of words" apparently was coined by Milton (in "Eikonoklastes," 1649). Word processor first recorded 1970. A word to the wise is from L. phrase verbum sapienti satis est "a word to the wise is enough." Word of mouth is recorded from c.1553.
wordstorage A fundamental unit of storage in a computer. The size of a word in a particular computer architecture is one of its chief distinguishing characteristics. The size of a word is usually the same as the width of the computer's data bus so it is possible to read or write a word in a single operation. An instruction is usually one or more words long and a word can be used to hold a whole number of characters. These days, this nearly always means a whole number of bytes (eight bits), most often 32 or 64 bits. In the past when six bit character sets were used, a word might be a multiple of six bits, e.g. 24 bits (four characters) in the ICL 1900 series. (1994-11-11)
Term\, n. [F. terme, L. termen, -inis, terminus, a boundary limit, end; akin to Gr. ?, ?. See Thrum a tuft, and cf. Terminus, Determine, Exterminate.]1. That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary. Corruption is a reciprocal to generation, and they two are as nature's two terms, or boundaries. --Bacon. 2. The time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life. 3. In universities, schools, etc., a definite continuous period during which instruction is regularly given to students; as, the school year is divided into three terms. 4. (Geom.) A point, line, or superficies, that limits; as, a line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid. 5. (Law) A fixed period of time; a prescribed duration; as: (a) The limitation of an estate; or rather, the whole time for which an estate is granted, as for the term of a life or lives, or for a term of years. (b) A space of time granted to a debtor for discharging his obligation. (c) The time in which a court is held or is open for the trial of causes. --Bouvier. Note: In England, there were formerly four terms in the year, during which the superior courts were open: Hilary term, beginning on the 11th and ending on the 31st of January; Easter term, beginning on the 15th of April, and ending on the 8th of May; Trinity term, beginning on the 22d day of May, and ending on the 12th of June; Michaelmas term, beginning on the 2d and ending on the 25th day of November. The rest of the year was called vacation. But this division has been practically abolished by the Judicature Acts of 1873, 1875, which provide for the more convenient arrangement of the terms and vacations. In the United States, the terms to be observed by the tribunals of justice are prescribed by the statutes of Congress and of the several States. 6. (Logic) The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice. The subject and predicate of a proposition are, after Aristotle, together called its terms or extremes. --Sir W. Hamilton. Note: The predicate of the conclusion is called the major term, because it is the most general, and the subject of the conclusion is called the minor term, because it is less general. These are called the extermes; and the third term, introduced as a common measure between them, is called the mean or middle term. Thus in the following syllogism, -- Every vegetable is combustible; Every tree is a vegetable; Therefore every tree is combustible, - combustible, the predicate of the conclusion, is the major term; tree is the minor term; vegetable is the middle term. 7. A word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical term. "Terms quaint of law." --Chaucer. In painting, the greatest beauties can not always be expressed for want of terms. --Dryden. 8. (Arch.) A quadrangular pillar, adorned on the top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or satyr; -- called also terminal figure. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3. Note: The pillar part frequently tapers downward, or is narrowest at the base. Terms rudely carved were formerly used for landmarks or boundaries. --Gwilt. 9. (Alg.) A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd. 10. pl. (Med.) The menses. 11. pl. (Law) Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions. 12. (Law) In Scotland, the time fixed for the payment of rents. Note: Terms legal and conventional in Scotland correspond to quarter days in England and Ireland. There are two legal terms -- Whitsunday, May 15, and Martinmas, Nov. 11; and two conventional terms -- Candlemas, Feb. 2, and Lammas day, Aug. 1. --Mozley & W. 13. (Naut.) A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail. --J. Knowels. In term, in set terms; in formal phrase. [Obs.] I can not speak in term. --Chaucer. Term fee (Law) (a), a fee by the term, chargeable to a suitor, or by law fixed and taxable in the costs of a cause for each or any term it is in court. Terms of a proportion (Math.), the four members of which it is composed. To bring to terms, to compel (one) to agree, assent, or submit; to force (one) to come to terms. To make terms, to come to terms; to make an agreement: to agree. Syn: Limit; bound; boundary; condition; stipulation; word; expression. Usage: Term, Word. These are more frequently interchanged than almost any other vocables that occur of the language. There is, however, a difference between them which is worthy of being kept in mind. Word is generic; it denotes an utterance which represents or expresses our thoughts and feelings. Term originally denoted one of the two essential members of a proposition in logic, and hence signifies a word of specific meaning, and applicable to a definite class of objects. Thus, we may speak of a scientific or a technical term, and of stating things in distinct terms. Thus we say, "the term minister literally denotes servant;" "an exact definition of terms is essential to clearness of thought;" "no term of reproach can sufficiently express my indignation;" "every art has its peculiar and distinctive terms," etc. So also we say, "purity of style depends on the choice of words, and precision of style on a clear understanding of the terms used." Term is chiefly applied to verbs, nouns, and adjectives, these being capable of standing as terms in a logical proposition; while prepositions and conjunctions, which can never be so employed, are rarely spoken of as terms, but simply as words.
Text\ (t[e^]kst), n. [F. texte, L. textus, texture, structure, context, fr. texere, textum, to weave, construct, compose; cf. Gr. te`ktwn carpenter, Skr. taksh to cut, carve, make. Cf. Context, Mantle, n., Pretext, Tissue, Toil a snare.]1. A discourse or composition on which a note or commentary is written; the original words of an author, in distinction from a paraphrase, annotation, or commentary. --Chaucer. 2. (O. Eng. Law) The four Gospels, by way of distinction or eminence. [R.] 3. A verse or passage of Scripture, especially one chosen as the subject of a sermon, or in proof of a doctrine. How oft, when Paul has served us with a text, Has Epictetus, Plato, Tully, preached! --Cowper. 4. Hence, anything chosen as the subject of an argument, literary composition, or the like; topic; theme. 5. A style of writing in large characters; text-hand also, a kind of type used in printing; as, German text. Text blindness. (Physiol.) See Word blindness, under Word. Text letter, a large or capital letter. [Obs.] Text pen, a kind of metallic pen used in engrossing, or in writing text-hand.
Verb\, n. [F. verbe, L. verbum a word, verb. See Word.]1. A word; a vocable. [Obs.] --South. 2. (Gram.) A word which affirms or predicates something of some person or thing; a part of speech expressing being, action, or the suffering of action. Note: A verb is a word whereby the chief action of the mind [the assertion or the denial of a proposition] finds expression. --Earle. Active verb, Auxiliary verb, Neuter verb, etc. See Active, Auxiliary, Neuter, etc.
Word\, n. [AS. word; akin to OFries. & OS. word, D. woord, G. wort, Icel. or[eth], Sw. & Dan. ord, Goth. wa['u]rd, OPruss. wirds, Lith. vardas a name, L. verbum a word; or perhaps to Gr. "rh`twr an orator. Cf. Verb.]1. The spoken sign of a conception or an idea; an articulate or vocal sound, or a combination of articulate and vocal sounds, uttered by the human voice, and by custom expressing an idea or ideas; a single component part of human speech or language; a constituent part of a sentence; a term; a vocable. "A glutton of words." --Piers Plowman. You cram these words into mine ears, against The stomach of my sense. --Shak. Amongst men who confound their ideas with words, there must be endless disputes. --Locke. 2. Hence, the written or printed character, or combination of characters, expressing such a term; as, the words on a page. 3. pl. Talk; discourse; speech; language. Why should calamity be full of words? --Shak. Be thy words severe; Sharp as he merits, but the sword forbear. --Dryden. 4. Account; tidings; message; communication; information; -- used only in the singular. I pray you . . . bring me word thither How the world goes. --Shak. 5. Signal; order; command; direction. Give the word through. --Shak. 6. Language considered as implying the faith or authority of the person who utters it; statement; affirmation; declaration; promise. Obey thy parents; keep thy word justly. --Shak. I know you brave, and take you at your word. --Dryden. I desire not the reader should take my word. --Dryden. 7. pl. Verbal contention; dispute. Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me. --Shak. 8. A brief remark or observation; an expression; a phrase, clause, or short sentence. All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. --Gal. v. 14. She said; but at the happy word "he lives," My father stooped, re-fathered, o'er my wound. --Tennyson. There is only one other point on which I offer a word of remark. --Dickens. By word of mouth, orally; by actual speaking. --Boyle. Compound word. See under Compound, a. Good word, commendation; favorable account. "And gave the harmless fellow a good word." --Pope. In a word, briefly; to sum up. In word, in declaration; in profession. "Let us not love in word, . . . but in deed and in truth." --1 John iii. 8. Nuns of the Word Incarnate (R. C. Ch.), an order of nuns founded in France in 1625, and approved in 1638. The order, which also exists in the United States, was instituted for the purpose of doing honor to the "Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God." The word, or The Word. (Theol.) (a) The gospel message; esp., the Scriptures, as a revelation of God. "Bold to speak the word without fear." --Phil. i. 14. (b) The second person in the Trinity before his manifestation in time by the incarnation; among those who reject a Trinity of persons, some one or all of the divine attributes personified. --John i. 1. To eat one's words, to retract what has been said. To have the words for, to speak for; to act as spokesman. [Obs.] "Our host hadde the wordes for us all." --Chaucer. Word blindness (Physiol.), inability to understand printed or written words or symbols, although the person affected may be able to see quite well, speak fluently, and write correctly. --Landois & Stirling. Word deafness (Physiol.), inability to understand spoken words, though the person affected may hear them and other sounds, and hence is not deaf. Word dumbness (Physiol.), inability to express ideas in verbal language, though the power of speech is unimpaired. Word for word, in the exact words; verbatim; literally; exactly; as, to repeat anything word for word. Word painting, the act of describing an object fully and vividly by words only, so as to present it clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. Word picture, an accurate and vivid description, which presents an object clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. Word square, a series of words so arranged that they can be read vertically and horizontally with like results. Note: H E A R T E M B E R A B U S E R E S I N T R E N T (A word square) Syn: See Term.
Word\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wording.]1. To express in words; to phrase. The apology for the king is the same, but worded with greater deference to that great prince. --Addison. 2. To ply with words; also, to cause to be by the use of a word or words. [Obs.] --Howell. 3. To flatter with words; to cajole. [Obs.] --Shak. To word it, to bandy words; to dispute. [Obs.] "To word it with a shrew." --L'Estrange.
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