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noun
1.
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 blackbird from black bird. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.
2.
3.
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.
4.
a short talk or conversation: Marston, I'd like a word with you.
5.
EXPANDan expression or utterance: a word of warning.
6.
warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.
7.
news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.
8.
a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.
9.
an authoritative utterance, or command: His word was law.
10.
Also called machine word. Computers. a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.
11.
(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.
12.
COLLAPSEa proverb or motto.
verb (used with object)
13.
to express in words; select words to express; phrase: to word a contract with great care.
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Eat one's words
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
14.
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.
15.
be as good as one's word, to hold to one's promises.
16.
eat one's words, to retract one's statement, especially with humility: They predicted his failure, but he made them eat their words.
17.
have a word, to talk briefly: Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.
18.
EXPANDhave no words for, to be unable to describe: She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.
19.
in a word, in summary; in short: In a word, there was no comparison. Also, in one word.
20.
in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out.
21.
keep one's word, to fulfill one's promise: I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.
22.
man of his word/woman of her word, a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.
23.
(upon) my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)
24.
of few words, laconic; taciturn: a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.
25.
of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy: a person of many words but of little wit.
26.
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.
27.
take one at one's word, to take a statement to be literal and true.
28.
take the words out of one's mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say.
29.
COLLAPSEweigh 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:
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch woord, German Wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd; akin to OPruss wirds, Latin verbum ‘word’, Lithuanian var̃das ‘name’
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch woord, German Wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd; akin to OPruss wirds, Latin verbum ‘word’, Lithuanian var̃das ‘name’
Related forms
in·ter·word, adjective
out·word, verb (used with object)
well-word·ed, adjective
Synonyms
4. statement, declaration. 5. pledge. 6. message, report, account. 7. catchword, shibboleth.
4. statement, declaration. 5. pledge. 6. message, report, account. 7. catchword, shibboleth.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To eat one's words
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
word
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
EXPAND"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.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
Word definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
eat one's words
Be forced to retract something one has said, as in The incumbent won easily, so I had to eat my words. This expression was already proverbial in John Ray's English Proverbs (1670). [Second half of 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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