ver·nac·u·lar (v r-n k y-lr)n. 1. The standard native language of a country or locality. 2. a. The everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary language. See Synonyms at dialect. b. A variety of such everyday language specific to a social group or region: the vernaculars of New York City. 3. The idiom of a particular trade or profession: in the legal vernacular. 4. An idiomatic word, phrase, or expression. 5. The common, nonscientific name of a plant or animal. adj. 1. Native to or commonly spoken by the members of a particular country or region. 2. Using the native language of a region, especially as distinct from the literary language: a vernacular poet. 3. Relating to or expressed in the native language or dialect. 4. Of or being an indigenous building style using local materials and traditional methods of construction and ornament, especially as distinguished from academic or historical architectural styles. 5. Occurring or existing in a particular locality; endemic: a vernacular disease. 6. Relating to or designating the common, nonscientific name of a plant or animal. [From Latin vern  culus, native, from verna, native slave, perhaps of Etruscan origin.]ver·nac u·lar·ly adv. |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|