wə:d n. & v. --n. 1 a
sound or
combination of sounds forming a
meaningful element of
speech, usu.
shown with a
space on
either side of it
when written or printed, used as
part (or occas. as
the whole) of a
sentence. 2 speech,
esp. as
distinct from action (bold in word only). 3 one's
promise or
assurance (gave us
their word). 4 (in
sing. or pl.) a
thing said, a
remark or
conversation. 5 (in pl.) the
text of a
song or an actor's part. 6 (in pl.)
angry talk (they
had words). 7
news,
intelligence; a
message. 8 a
command,
password, or
motto (gave the word to begin). 9 a
basic unit of the
expression of
data in a
computer. --v.tr. put
into words;
select words to express (how
shall we word that?). øat a word as
soon as requested. be as
good as (or better than) one's word
fulfil (or exceed)
what one has promised. break one's word
fail to do what one has promised.
have no words
for be
unable to express. have a word (often foll. by with)
speak briefly (to). in
other words expressing the
same thing differently. in so
many words explicitly or bluntly. in a (or one) word briefly.
keep one's word do what one has promised. my (or
upon my) word an
exclamation of
surprise or
consternation.
not the word for it not an
adequate or
appropriate description. of
few words
taciturn. of one's word
reliable in
keeping promises (a
woman of
her word). on (or upon) my word a
form of asseveration. put into words express in speech or
writing.
take a
person at
his or her word
interpret a person's words literally or
exactly. take a person's word for it
believe a person's
statement without investigation etc.
too ... for words too ... to be adequately described (was too
funny for words).
waste words talk in
vain. the Word (or Word of God) the
Bible. word-blind
incapable of identifying written or printed words
owing to a
brain defect. word-blindness
this condition. word-deaf incapable of identifying
spoken words owing to a brain defect. word-deafness this condition. word for word in exactly the same or (of translation) corresponding words. word-game a game involving the
making or
selection etc. of words. word of
honour an assurance
given upon one's honour. word of
mouth speech (only). word
order the
sequence of words in a sentence, esp. affecting
meaning etc. word-painting a
vivid description in writing. word-perfect
knowing one's part etc. by
heart. word-picture a
piece of word-painting. word
processor a purpose-built computer
system for electronically storing text entered from a
keyboard, incorporating corrections,
and providing a
printout. words fail me an expression of disbelief,
dismay, etc. word-square a set of words of
equal length written one
under another to
read the same down as
across (e.g. too
old ode). a word to the wise =
VERB. SAP. øøwordage n. wordless adj. wordlessly adv. wordlessness n. [OE f. Gmc]