I. ˈwərd noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wort word, Latin verbum, Greek eirein to say, speak, Hittite weriya- to call, name
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : something that is said
b. plural
(1) : talk , discourse
putting one's feelings into word s
(2) : the text of a vocal musical composition
c. : a brief remark or conversation
would like to have a word with you
2.
a.
(1) : a speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning usually 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 word s to a line
— sometimes used with the first letter of a real or pretended taboo word prefixed as an often humorous euphemism
the first man to utter the f word on British TV — Time
we were not afraid to use the d word and talk about death — Erma Bombeck
(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 word
4. often capitalized
a. : Logos
b. : gospel 1a
c. : the expressed or manifested mind and will of God
5.
a. : news , information
sent word 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 word
9. : a quarrelsome utterance or conversation — usually used in plural
they had word s and parted
10. : a verbal signal : password
11. slang — used interjectionally to express agreement
•
- good word
- in a word
- in so many words
- of few words
- of one's word
- upon my word
II. verb
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
archaic : speak
transitive verb
: to express in words : phrase
a carefully word ed reply