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.
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.
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.
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
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.
interj. and Word up.. Correct.; Right. : I hear you, man. Word.
interj. Hello. (See also What's the (good) word?) A: Word. B: Word. : Word. What's new?
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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