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words

   Also found in: Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
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. Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment: May I say a word about that?
3. Computer Science A set of bits constituting the smallest unit of addressable memory.
4. words Discourse or talk; speech: Actions speak louder than words.
5. words Music The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.
6. An assurance or promise; sworn intention: She has kept her word.
7.
a. A command or direction; an order: gave the word to retreat.
b. A verbal signal; a password or watchword.
8.
a. News: Any word on your promotion? See Synonyms at news.
b. Rumor: Word has it they're divorcing.
9. words Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.
10. 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.
11. Word
a. See Logos.
b. The Scriptures; the Bible.
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 word
1. A favorable comment: She put in a good word for me.
2. Favorable news.
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 words
1. 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 (one'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.
upon my word
Indeed; really.

[Middle English, from Old English; see wer-5 in Indo-European roots.]

words
Noun, pl
1. the text of a song, as opposed to the music
2. the text of an actor's part
3. have words to have an argument or disagreement
4. in other words expressing the same idea in a different, more understandable, way
5. put into words to express in speech or writing: she was reluctant to put her thoughts into words
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.words - the words that are spoken; "I listened to his words very closely"
speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication, oral communication, speech, language - (language) communication by word of mouth; "his speech was garbled"; "he uttered harsh language"; "he recorded the spoken language of the streets"
2.words - the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number; "his compositions always started with the lyrics"; "he wrote both words and music"; "the song uses colloquial language"
text, textual matter - the words of something written; "there were more than a thousand words of text"; "they handed out the printed text of the mayor's speech"; "he wants to reconstruct the original text"
song, vocal - a short musical composition with words; "a successful musical must have at least three good songs"
love lyric - the lyric of a love song
3.words - language that is spoken or written; "he has a gift for words"; "she put her thoughts into words"
language, linguistic communication - a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols; "he taught foreign languages"; "the language introduced is standard throughout the text"; "the speed with which a program can be executed depends on the language in which it is written"
4.wordswords - an angry dispute; "they had a quarrel"; "they had words"
difference of opinion, dispute, difference, conflict - a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats"
affray, altercation, fracas - noisy quarrel
pettifoggery, spat, squabble, tiff, bicker, bickering, fuss - a quarrel about petty points
bust-up - a serious quarrel (especially one that ends a friendship)
5.wordswords - words making up the dialogue of a play; "the actor forgot his speech"
dialog, dialogue - the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction
aside - a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
cue - an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
monologue - a (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor
soliloquy - a (usually long) dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections
throwaway - words spoken in a casual way with conscious under-emphasis
line - text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen; "the letter consisted of three short lines"; "there are six lines in every stanza"


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