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definitions

word-lore

or word·lore

[ wurd-lawr, -lohr ]
/ ˈwɜrdˌlɔr, -ˌloʊr /
|

noun

a study of words and derivations.
the vocabulary of a particular language and the history of its words.

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Nearby words

  1. word to the wise, a,
  2. word wrap,
  3. word wrapping,
  4. word-blind,
  5. word-hoard,
  6. word-perfect,
  7. wordage,
  8. wordbook,
  9. wordbreak,
  10. worde

Origin of word-lore

First recorded in 1865–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for word-lore

  • The writer on word-lore must of necessity build on what has already been done, happy if he can add a few bricks to the edifice.

    The Romance of Words (4th ed.)|Ernest Weekley

  • In word-lore, as in other sciences, it is seldom safe to lay down the law without a little conscientious "hedging."

    The Romance of Words (4th ed.)|Ernest Weekley