-word - The Dictionary

word (wûrd)n.1. A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.2. a. Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment: May I say a word about that?b. A command or direction; an order: gave the word to retreat.c. An assurance or promise; sworn intention: She has kept her word.d. A verbal signal; a password or watchword.3. wordsa. Discourse or talk; speech: Actions speak louder than words.b. Music The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.c. Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.4. a. News: Any word on your promotion?b. Rumor: Word has it they’re divorcing.5. Used euphemistically in combination with the initial letter of a term that is considered offensive or taboo or that one does not want to utter: “Although economists here will not call it a recession yet, the dreaded ‘R’ word is beginning to pop up in the media” (Francine S. Kiefer).6. Worda. See Logos.b. The Scriptures; the Bible.7. Computers A set of bits that is of a fixed size and is typically operated on by a computer’s processor.tr.v. word·ed, word·ing, words To express in words: worded the petition carefully.interj. Slang Used to express approval or an affirmative response to something. Sometimes used with up.Idioms: at a word In immediate response. good word1. A favorable comment: She put in a good word for me.2. Favorable news. have a word with To have a brief conversation with (someone); speak to. have no words for To be unable to describe or talk about. in a word In short; in summary: In a word, the situation is serious. in so many words1. In precisely those words; exactly: hinted at impending indictments but did not say it in so many words.2. Speaking candidly and straightforwardly: In so many words, the weather has been beastly. of few words Not conversational or loquacious; laconic: a person of few words. of (one’s) word Displaying personal dependability: a woman of her word. take at (someone’s) word To be convinced of another’s sincerity and act in accord with his or her statement: We took them at their word that the job would be done on time. take (someone’s) word for it To believe what someone says without investigating further. upon my word Indeed; really.[Middle English, from Old English; see wer- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.word (w??d) n1. (Linguistics) one of the units of speech or writing that native speakers of a language usually regard as the smallest isolable meaningful element of the language, although linguists would analyse these further into morphemes. 2. an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussion: to have a word with someone. 3. an utterance or expression, esp a brief one: a word of greeting. 4. news or information: he sent word that he would be late. 5. a verbal signal for action; command: when I give the word, fire!. 6. an undertaking or promise: I give you my word; he kept his word. 7. an autocratic decree or utterance; order: his word must be obeyed. 8. a watchword or slogan, as of a political party: the word now is ‘freedom’. 9. (Computer Science) computing a set of bits used to store, transmit, or operate upon an item of information in a computer, such as a program instruction10. as good as one’s word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do11. at a word at once12. by word of mouth orally rather than by written means13. in a word briefly or in short14. my word! a. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etcb. Austral an exclamation of agreement15. of one’s word given to or noted for keeping one’s promises: I am a man of my word. 16. put in a word for put in a good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend17. take someone at his word take someone at her word to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she says: when he told her to go, she took him at his word and left. 18. take someone’s word for it to accept or believe what someone says19. the last word a. the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issueb. the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model: the last word in bikinis. c. the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc): the last word in luxury. 20. the word the proper or most fitting expression: cold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!. 21. upon my word! a. archaic on my honourb. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc22. word for word a. (of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatimb. translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense23. word of honour a promise; oath24. (modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of words: a word list. vb25. (tr) to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase26. informal (often foll by: up) Austral to inform or advise (a person)[Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command]Word (w??d) n1. (Ecclesiastical Terms) Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity2. (Theology) Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation. Often called: the Word of God [translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014word (w?rd) n. 1. a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning, is typically seen as the smallest such unit capable of independent use, is separated from other such units by spaces in writing, and is often distinguished phonologically, as by accent or pause. 2. words, a. verbal expression, esp. speech or talk: to express one’s emotions in words. b. the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music. c. contentious or angry speech; a quarrel. 3. a short talk or conversation: May I have a word with you? 4. an expression or utterance: a word of warning. 5. warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I’ll be there. 6. news; tidings; information: We received word of an uprising. 7. a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign. 8. an authoritative utterance or command: His word was law. 9. a string of bits or bytes of fixed length treated as a unit for storage and processing by a computer. 10. (cap.) Also called the Word, the Word? of God?. a. the Scriptures; the Bible. b. the Logos. c. the message of the gospel of Christ. 11. a proverb or motto. 12. (used to form a usu. humorous euphemism by combining with the initial letter of a taboo or supposedly taboo word): a ban on television’s use of the F-word. Taxes – politicians’ dreaded T-word. v.t. 13. to select words to express; phrase: to word a contract carefully. interj. 14. Sometimes, word up. Slang. (used to express satisfaction, approval, or agreement): You got a job? Word! Idioms: 1. be as good as one’s word, to do what one has promised. 2. eat one’s words, to retract one’s statement, esp. with humility. 3. in a word, in summary; in short. 4. in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out. 5. man of his word or woman of her word, a trustworthy, reliable person. 6. my word! or upon my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.) 7. of few words, not talkative; laconic; taciturn. 8. of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy. 9. put in a (good) word for, to speak favorably on behalf of; commend. 10. take one at one’s word, to take a statement to be literal and true. 11. take the words out of someone’s mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say. [before 900; Middle English, Old English, c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon word, Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd; akin to Latin verbum word, Lithuanian vardas name] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.