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vocabulary - 4 dictionary results

vo⋅cab⋅u⋅lar⋅y

[voh-kab-yuh-ler-ee]
–noun, plural -lar⋅ies.
1. the stock of words used by or known to a particular people or group of persons: His French vocabulary is rather limited. The scientific vocabulary is constantly growing.
2. a list or collection of the words or phrases of a language, technical field, etc., usually arranged in alphabetical order and defined: Study the vocabulary in the fourth chapter.
3. the words of a language.
4. any collection of signs or symbols constituting a means or system of nonverbal communication: vocabulary of a computer.
5. any more or less specific group of forms characteristic of an artist, a style of art, architecture, or the like.

Origin:
1525–35; < ML vocābulārium, n. use of neut. of vocābulārius of words, equiv. to L vocābul(um) vocable + -ārius -ary


vo⋅cab⋅u⋅lar⋅ied, adjective
vo·cab·u·lar·y   (vō-kāb'yə-lěr'ē)   
n.   pl. vo·cab·u·lar·ies
  1. All the words of a language.
  2. The sum of words used by, understood by, or at the command of a particular person or group.
  3. A list of words and often phrases, usually arranged alphabetically and defined or translated; a lexicon or glossary.
  4. A supply of expressive means; a repertoire of communication: a dancer's vocabulary of movement.

[French vocabulaire, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vocābulārium, from neuter of vocābulārius, of words, from Latin vocābulum, name; see vocable.]

Vocabulary

Vo*cab"u*la*ry\, n.; pl. Vocabularies. [LL. vocabularium, vocabularius: cf. F. vocabulaire. See Vocable.]

1. A list or collection of words arranged in alphabetical order and explained; a dictionary or lexicon, either of a whole language, a single work or author, a branch of science, or the like; a word-book.

2. A sum or stock of words employed.

His vocabulary seems to have been no larger than was necessary for the transaction of business. --Macaulay.
Language Translation for : vocabulary
Spanish: vocabulario,
German: das Vokabular,
Japanese: 語彙

vocabulary 
1532, "list of words with explanations," from M.L. vocabularium "a list of words," from L. vocabulum "word, name, noun," from vocare "to name, call" (see voice). Meaning "range of language of a person or group" is first attested 1753.
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