languages definition | Dictionary.com

lan⋅guage

[lang-gwij]

–noun

1.	a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition: the two languages of Belgium; a Bantu language; the French language; the Yiddish language.

2.	communication by voice in the distinctively human manner, using arbitrary sounds in conventional ways with conventional meanings; speech.

3.	the system of linguistic signs or symbols considered in the abstract (opposed to speech ).

4.	any set or system of such symbols as used in a more or less uniform fashion by a number of people, who are thus enabled to communicate intelligibly with one another.

5.	any system of formalized symbols, signs, sounds, gestures, or the like used or conceived as a means of communicating thought, emotion, etc.: the language of mathematics; sign language.

6.	the means of communication used by animals: the language of birds.

7.	communication of meaning in any way; medium that is expressive, significant, etc.: the language of flowers; the language of art.

8.	linguistics; the study of language.

9.	the speech or phraseology peculiar to a class, profession, etc.; lexis; jargon.

10.	a particular manner of verbal expression: flowery language.

11.	choice of words or style of writing; diction: the language of poetry.

12.	Computers. a set of characters and symbols and syntactic rules for their combination and use, by means of which a computer can be given directions: The language of many commercial application programs is COBOL.

13.	a nation or people considered in terms of their speech.

14.	Archaic. faculty or power of speech.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME < AF, var. sp. of langage, deriv. of langue tongue. See lingua, -age

Synonyms:
2. See speech. 4, 9. tongue; terminology; lingo, lingua franca. Language, dialect, jargon, vernacular refer to patterns of vocabulary, syntax, and usage characteristic of communities of various sizes and types. Language is applied to the general pattern of a people or race: the English language. Dialect is applied to certain forms or varieties of a language, often those that provincial communities or special groups retain (or develop) even after a standard has been established: Scottish dialect. A jargon is either an artificial pattern used by a particular (usually occupational) group within a community or a special pattern created for communication in business or trade between members of the groups speaking different languages: the jargon of the theater; the Chinook jargon. A vernacular is the authentic natural pattern of speech, now usually on the informal level, used by persons indigenous to a certain community, large or small.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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lan·guage (lāng'gwĭj)

1. Communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols.
2. Such a system including its rules for combining its components, such as words.
3. Such a system as used by a nation, people, or other distinct community; often contrasted with dialect.
4. A system of signs, symbols, gestures, or rules used in communicating: the language of algebra.
5. Computer Science A system of symbols and rules used for communication with or between computers.
1. A system of signs, symbols, gestures, or rules used in communicating: the language of algebra.
2. Computer Science A system of symbols and rules used for communication with or between computers.
Body language; kinesics.
The special vocabulary and usages of a scientific, professional, or other group: "his total mastery of screen language—camera placement, editing—and his handling of actors" (Jack Kroll).
A characteristic style of speech or writing: Shakespearean language.
A particular manner of expression: profane language; persuasive language.
The manner or means of communication between living creatures other than humans: the language of dolphins.
Verbal communication as a subject of study.
The wording of a legal document or statute as distinct from the spirit.

[Middle English, from Old French langage, from langue, tongue, language, from Latin lingua; see dghū- in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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language (lāng'gwĭj) Pronunciation Key

A system of objects or symbols, such as sounds or character sequences, that can be combined in various ways following a set of rules, especially to communicate thoughts, feelings, or instructions. See also machine language , programming language.
The set of patterns or structures produced by such a system.

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