n. [ 2d back, n. + sword. ] 1. A sword with one sharp edge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called singlestick. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sword with a broad blade and a cutting edge; a claymore. [ 1913 Webster ]

I heard the broadsword's deadly clang. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. bïword; bï, E. by + word. ] 1. A common saying; a proverb; a saying that has a general currency. [ 1913 Webster ]

I knew a wise man that had it for a byword. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The object of a contemptuous saying. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou makest us a byword among the heathen. Ps. xliv. 14 [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Among theatrical performers, the last word of the preceding speaker, which reminds one that he is to speak next; cue. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Print.) The first word of any page of a book after the first, inserted at the right hand bottom corner of the preceding page for the assistance of the reader. It is seldom used in modern printing. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A word or phrase caught up and repeated for effect; as, the catchword of a political party, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a stout sword with a curved blade and thick back.
Syn. -- saber, sabre. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A preface. Furnvall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Half the length of a sword; close fight. “At half-sword.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a word that is qualified by a modifier. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. a word placed at the beginning of a line, paragraph, or short article (as in a dictionary or encyclopedia entry); the word which forms the title of an entry in a dictionary. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A word used as an entry point into an index which serves to identify files, records, texts, or other data containing the keyword or some related word, such as a synonym. It is a type of key{ 15 }; as, a boolean combination of keywords is more effective for information retrieval than a single key{ 15 }. [ PJC ]

n. a word borrowed from another language; e.g. blitz is a German word borrowed into modern English.
Syn. -- loan. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The form of a word that heads a lexical entry and is alphabetized in a dictionary; also called entry word, headword, and lemma.
Syn. -- citation form, entry word, headword, lemma. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

☞ In different languages, different wordforms, such as cases for verbs, may be taken as the main entry word. In English dictionaries, it is the infinitive form, but in latin dictionaries it is usually the first person singular present. [ PJC ]

v. t. To word wrongly; as, to misword a message, or a sentence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A word wrongly spoken; a cross word. [ Obs. ] Sylvester. Breton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A byword; a proverb; also, a watchword. [ Obs. ] hak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To say in too many words; to express verbosely. Hales. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A word to be given before a person is allowed to pass; a watchword; a countersign. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See portmanteau. ] A word formed by joining two others; -- as, smog is formed from smoke and fog. [ Wordnet 1.6 ]

v. t. 1. To repeat in the same words; to reecho. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To alter the wording of; to restate in other words; as, to reword an idea or a passage. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A light sword used for thrusting only; especially, the sword worn by civilians of rank in the eighteenth century. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sverð, Sw. svärd, Dan. svaerd; of uncertain origin. ] 1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ the ruler ] beareth not the sword in vain. Rom. xiii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

She quits the balance, and resigns the sword. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension. [ 1913 Webster ]

I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matt. x. 34. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The military power of a country. [ 1913 Webster ]

He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sword arm, the right arm. --
Sword bayonet, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and which can be used as a sword. --
Sword bearer, one who carries his master's sword; an officer in London who carries a sword before the lord mayor when he goes abroad. --
Sword belt, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne at the side. --
Sword blade, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword. --
Sword cane, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or dagger, as in a sheath. --
Sword dance. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together by the male dancers. Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but without touching them. --
Sword fight, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with swords; swordplay. --
Sword grass. (Bot.) See Gladen. --
Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword. --
Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence. Milton. --
Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus. --
Sword mat (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so called from a wooden implement used in its manufacture. --
Sword shrimp (Zool.), a European shrimp (Pasiphaea sivado) having a very thin, compressed body. --
Sword stick, a sword cane. --
To measure swords with one. See under Measure, v. t. --
To put to the sword. See under Put. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A humming bird (Docimastes ensiferus) having a very long, slender bill, exceeding the length of the body of the bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. AS. geswurdod. ] Girded with a sword. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who uses, or fights with, a sword; a swordsman; a soldier; a cutthroat. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Zool.) (a) A very large oceanic fish (Xiphias gladius), the only representative of the family Xiphiidae. It is highly valued as a food fish. The bones of the upper jaw are consolidated, and form a long, rigid, swordlike beak; the dorsal fin is high and without distinct spines; the ventral fins are absent. The adult is destitute of teeth. It becomes sixteen feet or more long. (b) The gar pike. (c) The cutlass fish. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) A southern constellation. See Dorado, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Swordfish sucker (Zool.), a remora (Remora brachyptera) which attaches itself to the swordfish. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The spotted gunnel (Muraenoides gunnellus). [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Slashing with a sword. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destitute of a sword. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Swordmen A swordsman. “Sinewy swordmen.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Fencing; a sword fight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A fencer; a gladiator; one who exhibits his skill in the use of the sword. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Shaped like a sword; ensiform, as the long, flat leaves of the Iris, cattail, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Swordsmen 1. A soldier; a fighting man. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One skilled of a use of the sword; a professor of the science of fencing; a fencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being a swordsman; skill in the use of the sword. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) (a) The limulus. (b) Any hemipterous insect of the genus Uroxiphus, found upon forest trees. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A word given to sentinels, and to such as have occasion to visit the guards, used as a signal by which a friend is known from an enemy, or a person who has a right to pass the watch from one who has not; a countersign; a password. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sentiment or motto; esp., one used as a rallying cry or a signal for action. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor deal in watchwords overmuch. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. word; akin to OFries. & OS. word, D. woord, G. wort, Icel. orð, Sw. & Dan. ord, Goth. waúrd, OPruss. wirds, Lith. vardas a name, L. verbum a word; or perhaps to Gr. "rh`twr an orator. Cf. Verb.] [1913 Webster]

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.” Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster]

You cram these words into mine ears, against
The stomach of my sense. Shak. [1913 Webster]

Amongst men who confound their ideas with words, there must be endless disputes. Locke. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, the written or printed character, or combination of characters, expressing such a term; as, the words on a page. [1913 Webster]

3. pl. Talk; discourse; speech; language. [1913 Webster]

Why should calamity be full of words? Shak. [1913 Webster]

Be thy words severe;
Sharp as he merits, but the sword forbear. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Account; tidings; message; communication; information; -- used only in the singular. [1913 Webster]

I pray you . . . bring me word thither
How the world goes. Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. Signal; order; command; direction. [1913 Webster]

Give the word through. Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. Language considered as implying the faith or authority of the person who utters it; statement; affirmation; declaration; promise. [1913 Webster]

Obey thy parents; keep thy word justly. Shak. [1913 Webster]

I know you brave, and take you at your word. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

I desire not the reader should take my word. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

7. pl. Verbal contention; dispute. [1913 Webster]

Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me. Shak. [1913 Webster]

8. A brief remark or observation; an expression; a phrase, clause, or short sentence. [1913 Webster]

All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Gal. v. 14. [1913 Webster]

She said; but at the happy word “he lives,”
My father stooped, re-fathered, o'er my wound. Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

There is only one other point on which I offer a word of remark. Dickens. [1913 Webster]

By word of mouth, orally; by actual speaking. Boyle. --
Compound word. See under Compound, a. --
Good word, commendation; favorable account. “And gave the harmless fellow a good word.” Pope. --
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.” 1 John iii. 8. --
Nuns of the Word Incarnate (R. C. Ch.), an order of nuns founded in France in 1625, and approved in 1638. The order, which also exists in the United States, was instituted for the purpose of doing honor to the “Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.” --
The word, or
The Word. (Theol.) (a) The gospel message; esp., the Scriptures, as a revelation of God. “Bold to speak the word without fear.” Phil. i. 14. (b) The second person in the Trinity before his manifestation in time by the incarnation; among those who reject a Trinity of persons, some one or all of the divine attributes personified. John i. 1. --
To eat one's words, to retract what has been said. --
To have the words for, to speak for; to act as spokesman. [Obs.] “Our host hadde the wordes for us all.” Chaucer. --
Word blindness (Physiol.), inability to understand printed or written words or symbols, although the person affected may be able to see quite well, speak fluently, and write correctly. Landois & Stirling. --
Word deafness (Physiol.), inability to understand spoken words, though the person affected may hear them and other sounds, and hence is not deaf. --
Word dumbness (Physiol.), 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. [1913 Webster]

 H E A R T
 E M B E R
 A B U S E
 R E S I N
 T R E N T
 
 (A word square)
 

Syn. -- See Term. [1913 Webster]

v. i. To use words, as in discussion; to argue; to dispute. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Worded; p. pr. & vb. n. Wording. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To express in words; to phrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

The apology for the king is the same, but worded with greater deference to that great prince. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To ply with words; also, to cause to be by the use of a word or words. [ Obs. ] Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To flatter with words; to cajole. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To word it, to bandy words; to dispute. [ Obs. ] “To word it with a shrew.” L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. D. woordenboek, G. wörterbuch. ] A collection of words; a vocabulary; a dictionary; a lexicon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who cavils at words. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A speaker. [ Obs. ] Withlock. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a wordy manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being wordy, or abounding with words; verboseness. Jeffrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or manner of expressing in words; style of expression; phrasing. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is believed this wording was above his known style. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Respecting words; full of words; wordy. [ R. ] Sir P. Sidney. -- Word"ish*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

The truth they hide by their dark woordishness. Sir K. Digby. [1913 Webster]

n. One of several pivoted pieces forming the throat of an adjustable die used in drawing wire, lead pipe, etc. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not using words; not speaking; silent; speechless. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Education) A method of teaching reading in which words are first taken as single ideograms and later analyzed into their phonetic and alphabetic elements; -- contrasted with alphabet method and sentence method. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A more or less subtle playing upon the meaning of words. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. One who deals in words, or in mere words; a verbalist. [ R. ] “Some speculative wordsman.” H. Bushnell. [ 1913 Webster ]