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word

1. To express in words; to phrase. The apology for the king is the same, but worded with greater deference to that great prince. (Addison)

2. To ply with words; also, to cause to be by the use of a word or words.

3. To flatter with words; to cajole. To word it, to bandy words; to dispute. To word it with a shrew.

Origin: Worded; Wording.

1. The spoken sign of a conception or an idea; an articulate or vocal sound, or a combination of articulate and vocal sounds, uttered by the human voice, and by custom expressing an idea or ideas; a single component part of human speech or language; a constituent part of a sentence; a term; a vocable. A glutton of words. You cram these words into mine ears, against The stomach of my sense. (Shak) Amongst men who confound their ideas with words, there must be endless disputes. (locke)

2. Hence, the written or printed character, or combination of characters, expressing such a term; as, the words on a page.

3. Talk; discourse; speech; language. Why should calamity be full of words? (Shak) Be thy words severe; sharp as he merits, but the sword forbear. (Dryden)

4. Account; tidings; message; communication; information; used only in the singular. I pray you . . . Bring me word thither How the world goes. (Shak)

5. Signal; order; command; direction. Give the word through. (Shak)

6. Language considered as implying the faith or authority of the person who utters it; statement; affirmation; declaration; promise. Obey thy parents; keep thy word justly. (Shak) I know you brave, and take you at your word. (Dryden) I desire not the reader should take my word. (Dryden)

7. Verbal contention; dispute. Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me. (Shak)

8. A brief remark or observation; an expression; a phrase, clause, or short sentence. All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (gal. V. 14) She said; but at the happy word he lives, My father stooped, re-fathered, o'er my wound. (Tennyson) There is only one other point on which I offer a word of remark. (Dickens) By word of mouth, orally; by actual speaking. Compound word. See Compound, Good word, commendation; favorable account. And gave the harmless fellow a good word. . In a word, briefly; to sum up. In word, in declaration; in profession. Let us not love in word, . . . But in deed and in truth. .

(Science: physiology) nuns of the Word Incarnate, inability to express ideas in verbal language, though the power of speech is unimpaired. Word for word, in the exact words; verbatim; literally; exactly; as, to repeat anything word for word. Word painting, the act of describing an object fully and vividly by words only, so as to present it clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. Word picture, an accurate and vivid description, which presents an object clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. Word square, a series of words so arranged that they can be read vertically and horizontally with like results.

Synonym: See term.

Origin: AS. Word; akin to OFries. & OS. Word, D. Woord, G. Wort, Icel. Orth, Sw. & Dan. Ord, Goth. Waord, OPruss. Wirds, Lith. Vardas a name, L. Verbum a word; or perhaps to Gr. rhtwr an orator. Cf. Verb.