language

language
lan•guage
[[t]ˈlæŋ gwɪdʒ[/t]] n.
1) ling. a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition:
the French language[/ex]
2) ling.
a) communication using a system of arbitrary vocal sounds, written symbols, signs, or gestures in conventional ways with conventional meanings:
spoken language; sign language[/ex]
b) the ability to communicate in this way
3) ling. the system of linguistic signs or symbols considered in the abstract
4) ling. any set or system of formalized symbols, signs, sounds, or gestures used or conceived as a means of communicating:
the language of mathematics[/ex]
5) ling. zool. the means of communication used by animals:
the language of birds[/ex]
6) cv communication of thought, feeling, etc., through a nonverbal medium:
body language; the language of flowers[/ex]
7) ling. the study of language; linguistics
8) ling. the vocabulary or phraseology used by a particular group, profession, etc
9) ling. a particular manner of verbal expression:
flowery language[/ex]
10) ling. choice of words or style of writing; diction:
the language of poetry[/ex]
11) cmp a set of symbols and syntactic rules for their combination and use, by means of which a computer can be given directions
12) ling. archaic faculty or power of speech
•
Etymology: 1250–1300; ME < AF, var. of langage, OF =langue tongue, language (< Llingua) +-age -age syn: language, dialect, jargon, vernacular refer to patterns of vocabulary, syntax, and usage characteristic of communities of various sizes and types. language is applied to the general pattern of a people or nation: the English language. dialect is applied to regionally or socially distinct forms or varieties of a language, often forms used by provincial communities that differ from the standard variety: the Scottish dialect. jargon is applied to the specialized language, esp. the vocabulary, used by a particular (usu. occupational) group within a community or to language considered unintelligible or obscure: technical jargon. The vernacular is the natural, everyday pattern of speech, usu. on an informal level, used by people indigenous to a community.

From formal English to slang. 2014.

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