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word

[wurd]
noun
  1. a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or consist of two or three such units combined under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent that distinguishes blackbird from black bird. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.
  2. (used in combination with the first letter of an offensive or unmentionable word, the first letter being lowercase or uppercase, with or without a following hyphen): My mom married at 20, and she mentions the m-word every time I meet someone she thinks is eligible.See also f-word, n-word.
  3. words,
    1. speech or talk: to express one's emotion in words; Words mean little when action is called for.
    2. the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.
    3. contentious or angry speech; a quarrel: We had words and she walked out on me.
  4. a short talk or conversation: Marston, I'd like a word with you.
  5. an expression or utterance: a word of warning.
  6. warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.
  7. news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.
  8. a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.
  9. an authoritative utterance, or command: His word was law.
  10. Also called machine word. Computers. a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.
  11. (initial capital letter) Also called the Word, the Word of God.
    1. the Scriptures; the Bible.
    2. the Logos.
    3. the message of the gospel of Christ.
  12. a proverb or motto.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to express in words; select words to express; phrase: to word a contract with great care.
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Idioms
  1. at a word, in immediate response to an order or request; in an instant: At a word they came to take the situation in hand.
  2. be as good as one's word, to hold to one's promises.
  3. eat one's words, to retract one's statement, especially with humility: They predicted his failure, but he made them eat their words.
  4. have a word, to talk briefly: Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.
  5. have no words for, to be unable to describe: She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.
  6. in a word, in summary; in short: In a word, there was no comparison.Also in one word.
  7. in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out.
  8. keep one's word, to fulfill one's promise: I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.
  9. man of his word/woman of her word, a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.
  10. (upon) my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)
  11. of few words, laconic; taciturn: a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.
  12. of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy: a person of many words but of little wit.
  13. put in a good word for, to speak favorably of; commend: He put in a good word for her with the boss.Also put in a word for.
  14. take one at one's word, to take a statement to be literal and true.
  15. take the words out of one's mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say.
  16. weigh one's words, to choose one's words carefully in speaking or writing: It was an important message, and he was weighing his words.
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Origin of word

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch woord, German Wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd; akin to OPruss wirds, Latin verbum ‘word’, Lithuanian var̃das ‘name’
Related formsin·ter·word, adjectiveout·word, verb (used with object)well-word·ed, adjective

Synonyms for word

5. statement, declaration. 6. pledge. 7. message, report, account. 8. catchword, shibboleth.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for at a word

Word

noun the Word
  1. Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity
  2. Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelationOften called: the Word of God
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Word Origin for Word

translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1

word

noun
  1. 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 morphemesRelated adjective: lexical, verbal
  2. an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussionto have a word with someone
  3. an utterance or expression, esp a brief onea word of greeting
  4. news or informationhe sent word that he would be late
  5. a verbal signal for action; commandwhen I give the word, fire!
  6. an undertaking or promiseI give you my word; he kept his word
  7. an autocratic decree or utterance; orderhis word must be obeyed
  8. a watchword or slogan, as of a political partythe word now is ``freedom''
  9. computing a set of bits used to store, transmit, or operate upon an item of information in a computer, such as a program instruction
  10. as good as one's word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
  11. at a word at once
  12. by word of mouth orally rather than by written means
  13. in a word briefly or in short
  14. my word!
    1. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
    2. Australianan exclamation of agreement
  15. of one's word given to or noted for keeping one's promisesI am a man of my word
  16. put in a word for or put in a good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
  17. take someone at his word or take someone at her word to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she sayswhen 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 says
  19. the last word
    1. the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue
    2. the latest or most fashionable design, make, or modelthe last word in bikinis
    3. the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc)the last word in luxury
  20. the word the proper or most fitting expressioncold is not the word for it, it's freezing!
  21. upon my word!
    1. archaicon my honour
    2. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
  22. word for word
    1. (of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
    2. translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
  23. word of honour a promise; oath
  24. (modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of wordsa word list
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verb
  1. (tr) to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase
  2. (tr often foll by up) Australian informal to inform or advise (a person)
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See also words

Word Origin for word

Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for at a word

word

n.

Old English word "speech, talk, utterance, word," from Proto-Germanic *wurdan (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian word, Dutch woord, Old High German, German wort, Old Norse orð, Gothic waurd), from PIE *were- "speak, say" (see verb).

The meaning "promise" was in Old English, as was the theological sense. In the plural, the meaning "verbal altercation" (as in to have words with someone) dates from mid-15c. Word processor first recorded 1973; word processing is from 1984; word wrap is from 1977. A word to the wise is from Latin phrase verbum sapienti satis est "a word to the wise is enough." Word of mouth is recorded from 1550s.

It is dangerous to leave written that which is badly written. A chance word, upon paper, may destroy the world. Watch carefully and erase, while the power is still yours, I say to myself, for all that is put down, once it escapes, may rot its way into a thousand minds, the corn become a black smut, and all libraries, of necessity, be burned to the ground as a consequence. [William Carlos Williams, "Paterson"]
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with at a word

at a word

In immediate response, at an instant. For example, At a word from the captain they lined up in order. [c. 1300]

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word

In addition to the idioms beginning with word

  • word for word
  • word of honor
  • word of mouth, by
  • words fail me
  • words of one syllable, in
  • words stick in one's throat
  • words to that effect
  • word to the wise, a

also see:

  • actions speak louder than words
  • at a loss (for words)
  • at a word
  • break one's word
  • eat one's words
  • famous last words
  • fighting words
  • four-letter word
  • from the word go
  • get a word in edgewise
  • give the word
  • go back on (one's word)
  • good as one's word
  • hang on someone's words
  • have a word with
  • have words with
  • in brief (a word)
  • in other words
  • in so many words
  • keep one's word
  • last word
  • leave word
  • man of his word
  • mark my words
  • mince matters (words)
  • mum's the word
  • not breathe a word
  • not open one's mouth (utter a word)
  • of few words
  • picture is worth a thousand words
  • play on words
  • put in a good word
  • put into words
  • put words in someone's mouth
  • swallow one's words
  • take someone at his or her word
  • take the words out of someone's mouth
  • true to (one's word)
  • weasel word
  • weigh one's words
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.