[word] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG wort word, L verbum, Gk eirein to say, speak, Hitt weriya- to call, name] (bef. 12c) 1 a: something that is said b pl (1): talk, discourse "putting one's feelings into ~s" (2): the text of a vocal musical composition c: a brief remark or conversation "would like to have a ~ with you"
2. a (1): a speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use (2): the entire set of linguistic forms produced by combining a single base with various inflectional elements without change in the part of speech elements b (1): a written or printed character or combination of characters representing a spoken word "the number of ~s to a line"--sometimes used with the first letter of a real or pretended taboo word prefixed often as a humorous euphemism "we were not afraid to use the d ~ and talk about death --Erma Bombeck" "the first man to utter the f ~ on British TV --Time" (2): any segment of written or printed discourse ordinarily appearing between spaces or between a space and a punctuation mark c: a number of bytes processed as a unit and conveying a quantum of information in communication and computer work
3: order, command "don't move till I give the ~"
4. often cap a: logos b: gospel 1a c: the expressed or manifested mind and will of God
5. a: news, information "sent ~ that he would be late" b: rumor
6: the act of speaking or of making verbal communication 7: saying, proverb 8: promise, declaration "kept her ~" 9: a quarrelsome utterance or conversation--usu. used in pl. "they had ~s and parted" 10: a verbal signal: password -- good word 1: a favorable statement "put in a good word for me"
2: good news "what's the good word" -- in a word : in short -- in so many words 1: in exactly those terms "implied that such actions were criminal but did not say so in so many words"
2: in plain forthright language "in so many words, she wasn't fit to be seen --Jean Stafford" -- of few words : not inclined to say more than is necessary: laconic -- of one's word : that can be relied on to keep a promise--used only after man or woman -- upon my word : with my assurance: indeed, assuredly "upon my word, I've never heard of such a thing"
[2]word vi (13c) archaic: speak ~ vt: to express in words: phrase