Word sb.

Forms: 1– word, 1–6 wurd, (3 wored, woerd, weord, wuord, wort), 3–6 werd, 3 (4–6 Sc.) wourd, (4 wrd, 4–6 worde, wurde, Sc. vord(e, vourd, 5 worþ (?)), 4–7 woord (6–7 -e), 5–6 Sc. wird(e. [OE. word str. n. = OFris., OS. word, MDu. wort (Du. woord), OHG., MHG., G. wort, ON. orð (Sw., Da. ord), Goth. waurd:—OTeut. *wurdom:—pre-Teut. *wṛdho-; cf. Lith. vardas name, Lett. wàrds word, forename, OPruss. wirds word, OIr. fordat ‘inquiunt.’

  Indo-Eur. werdh- is generally taken to be a deriv. of wer-, werē-, which appears in Gr. ϝερέω I shall say, ϝρήτωρ speaker, L. verbum word, Skr. vratám command, law, etc.]

  I.  Speech, utterance, verbal expression.

  1.  collect. pl. Things said, or something said; speech, talk, discourse, utterance; esp. with possessive, what the person mentioned says or said; (one’s) form of expression or language. Often in such phrases as in these, other, etc., words, in (such-and-such) language; many words, few words (see also 22, 26); to give words to, to put into words, to express by means of language; beyond words, incapable of being expressed in language, unutterable, unspeakable.

a. 900.  Cynewulf, Juliana, 83. Ʒif þas word sind soþ.

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 2389. Ne wile Sarran … ʓelyfan wordum minum.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 27. Ne mai no man þese word seggen … ȝief he haueð on his heorte onde. Ibid., 43. Vnderstonde we on ure heorte his holie wordes. Ibid., 217. On þesse fewe litele wored lotieð fele gode wored, ȝif hie weren wel ioponed.

c. 1205.  Lay., 3606. Þe alde king … þas wuord seide. Ibid., 8835. Nu beoð his word [c. 1275 wordes] gode.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 890. Til þat worm þan drightin spak Wordes bath o wrath and wrak.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, IX. 752. Sen thou spekis so ryaly, It is gret skill at men chasty Thi prowd vourdis.

1450–1530.  Myrr. Our Ladye, I. i. 11. These ar the wordes of the prophete Dauid. Ibid., II. 66. Youre holy rewle forbydeth you all vayne and ydel wordes.

1526.  Tindale, John vi. 63. The wordes that I speake vnto you are sprete and lyfe.

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay (S.T.S.), 5. Ane prayer is noth the mair plesand to god for causz we wsz mony vordis in it.

1605.  Shaks., Macb., IV. iii. 209. Giue sorrow words; the griefe that do’s not speake, Whispers the o’re-fraught heart, and bids it breake. Ibid., V. viii. 6. I haue no words, My voice is in my Sword.

1638.  Junius, Paint. Ancients, 89. Seeing they cleare such a great point in a few words.

1667.  Milton, P. L., X. 865. Soft words to his fierce passion she assay’d.

1709, 1795.  words of course [see COURSE sb. 36 a].

1749.  Copy Lett. Fr. Lady at Paris, 9. Not yet, answered Mr. de Vaudreuil. At which Words the Prince darted a menacing Look at him.

1813.  Lady Burghersh, Lett. (1893), 61. Words can’t describe the figures the women dress here.

1817.  Shelley, Sonn., Ozymandias, 9. And on the pedestal these words appear.

1825.  Scott, Betrothed, xvii. Forbear these wild and dangerous words!… There may be here those who will pretend to track mischief from light words.

1847.  Helps, Friends in C., I. viii. 124. All this is what I have often heard you say yourself in other words.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xx. When he had a duty to perform, Captain Dobbin was accustomed to go through it without many words or much hesitation.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., V. i. I sometimes hold it half a sin To put in words the grief I feel.

1878.  Besant & Rice, Celia’s Arb., xvii. I have no words … to express the very great thanks which I … owe you.

1882.  Besant, All Sorts, viii. At a loss to give indignation words.

1885.  ‘H. Conway,’ Family Affair, xxvii. To use his own words, he was in a cleft stick.

1892.  Temple Bar, Dec., 541. She could not put her fear into words.

1905.  Elin. Glyn, Viciss. Evangeline, 277. Her tact is beyond words.

  b.  In various obsolete or casual uses (sometimes spec. speech as distinguished from writing).

Beowulf, 612. Ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode, word wæron wynsume.

a. 940.  in Kemble, Cod. Dipl., V. 248. Ic Æðelstan … on ðisum ʓewrite mid wordum afæstniʓe, ðæt ic wille [etc.].

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom. (Th.), I. 24. Þa com se engel to hire and hi ʓegrette mid Godes wordum.

c. 1205.  Lay., 51. Feþeren he nom mid fingren … & þa soþere word sette togadere & þa þre boc þrumde to are. Ibid., 6675. Mid wurden and mid writen he dude heom wel to witen þat [etc.].

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 12226. Fle for-soth fra him wil i, His wordes i mai noght vnderli.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 313. Discreet he was and of greet reuerence; He semed swich his wordes weren so wise.

a. 1450.  Knt. de la Tour, 18. We felle in wordes of prisoners. Ibid., 25. The wiff aught to … lete the husbonde haue the wordes, and to be maister.

1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 542. Stameryng in his wordes. Ibid. (c. 1489), Blanchardyn, vii. 28. Wythout moo wordes the knyght mounted … on horsbake.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xlii. 47. Sayand till hir with wirdis still, Haif pety of ȝour presoneir.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 1. [They] affirmed their doynges to be good, bothe in wordes and writyng.

1563.  Foxe, A. & M., 1225/1. We had more woordes of thys matter.

1602.  Shaks., Ham., I. iii. 134. I would not … Haue you … giue words or talke with the Lord Hamlet.

1677–8.  in Jrnl. Friends Hist. Soc., XIX. 61. Shee … was much runn into words.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, VI. 723. They … in Words and Tears had spent the little time of stay.

  c.  spec. The text of a song or other vocal composition, as distinguished from the music; also, the text of an actor’s part. In first quot. also sing.

1450–1530.  Myrr. Our Ladye, I. xxi. 56. Whyle there ys thre thynges in goddes seruyce … The sentence, the worde, and the songe, the notes and songe serue to the wordes, and the wordes serue to the inwarde sentence.

1605.  Shaks., Macb., I. iii. 88. To th’ selfe-same tune and words. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., IV. ii. 238. And do not play in Wench-like words with that Which is so serious.

1761.  B. Victor, Theatres Lond. & Dublin, II. 5. The Rehearsals only then begin to be of Use to the Actor: When he is quite perfect in the Words and Cues, he can then be instructed.

1774.  [see SET v. 73].

1847.  Tennyson, Princess, VII. 270. Till at the last she set herself to man, Like perfect music unto noble words.

1890.  Baring-Gould, Old Country Life, 279. A marvellous store of old words and tunes in her head.

  2.  sing. Something said (= sense 1); a speech or utterance; esp. defined by a possessive or demonstrative. arch.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. iv. 4. Ne leofað se man be hlafe anum ac be ælcon worde þe of godes muðe gæð.

a. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 235. He cweð a wunder word to þar sawle bi þa witie ysaiam.

c. 1200.  Ormin, Ded. 45. Min word … Maȝȝ hellpenn þa þatt redenn itt to sen & tunnderrstanndenn. Ibid., 282. Swa wass filledd opennliȝ þatt word tatt ær wass cwiddedd.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1600. Þis word out of his hert sprang … ‘Me reus þat euer made i man.’

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XV. 145. With that vorde assemblit thai.

c. 1400.  Anturs of Arth., xvi. Ways me for thi wirde!

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, VI. 538. Wallace was blyth fra he had hard thair wourd.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xxxvii. 15. The wird of Jesew is fulfillit rycht, Surrexit sicut dixit.

1534.  Fewterer, Myrrour Christes Passion, 124. A contemplation of this seconde worde spoken by Christe vpon the crosse. Ibid. This moste comfortable worde of our most swete sauyour Iesu spoken vnto the thefe.

1563.  Foxe, A. & M., 1258/1. At this worde which he coupled with an othe, came I in.

1781.  Cowper, Conversat., 533. He bless’d the bread, but vanish’d at the word.

1801.  Scott, Eve St. John, xxviii. Yet hear but my word.

1831.  G. P. R. James, Philip Aug., xxviii. We have striven … to draw some word from her; but she … sobs, and answers nothing.

1867.  Morris, Jason, I. 217. So at this word the king along the shore Built many a tower.

1871.  B. Taylor, Faust (1875), I. iv. 69. The word, alas! dies even in the pen.

  b.  with negative expressed or implied, or with every: Any or the least utterance, statement or fragment of speech; anything at all (said or written).

a. 1000.  Riddles, xix. 1. Ic … ne mæʓ word sprecan.

c. 1200.  Ormin, Ded. 70. Þatt upponn all þiss boc ne be Nan word ȝæn Cristess lare.

a. 1300.  K. Horn, 260 (Harl.). Þah hue ne dorste at bord Mid him speke ner a word [v.r. no worde].

c. 1470.  Golagros & Gaw., 1166. Thair wes na word muuand, Sa war thai all stil.

a. 1508.  Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 157. I sall say furth the south, dissymyland no word.

1581.  J. Hamilton, Cath. Traictise, V iv b. He sal not hair ane vourd to ansueir.

1611.  Bible, 2 Sam. xix. 10. Why speake ye not a word of bringing the king backe?

1667.  Earl Orrery, St. Lett. (1742), 305. He … got an order … without so much as telling me one word of it.

1676.  Earl Essex, in Essex Papers (Camden), II. 83. I was above four months before I could gett one word of answer from him.

1720.  De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xi. (1840), 198. They never heard a word of English.

1753–4.  Richardson, Grandison, I. xlviii. 342. You undo me, if one word of this matter escape you.

1758.  Mrs. Lennox, Henrietta, II. ii. (1761), I. 105. That … her every word and action [might] be under his direction.

1797.  Jane Austen, Sense & Sensib., xxx. I would not mention a word about it to her.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xi. III. 10. No word indicating that he took blame to himself.

1863.  W. C. Baldwin, Afr. Hunting, vii. 294. It is now eighteen months since I heard a word … from my friends.

1879.  McCarthy, Donna Q., I. iii. Before she had time to put in a word.

1882.  Besant, All Sorts, xxi. Her ladyship held out her hands, without a word.

  c.  A word: a (short or slight) utterance or statement; a brief speech or conversation; similarly a word or two, † a couple of words.

c. 1485.  Digby Myst. (1896), III. 1423. Master of þe shepe, a word with þe.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 142. Than yf we be touched with a sharpe worde, we shal yelde a … gentyll answere.

1581.  T. Wilcox, Glass Gamesters, vi. c v b. Nowe a worde or two, out of the fathers,… for the ouerthrowyng of Dise and Cardes.

1589.  Puttenham, Engl. Poesie, III. xxv. (Arb.), 307. So occupied … in the Princes affaires, as it is a great matter to haue a couple of wordes with them.

1611.  Bible, Isa. l. 4. To speake a worde in season [Geneva a worde in time] to him that is wearie.

1639.  [see WISE a. 6 c].

1726.  Swift, Gulliver, II. iii. I entreated to be heard a Word or two.

1810.  Crabbe, Borough, xxii. 5. Peter … had of all a civil word and wish.

1836.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Visit to Newgate. Some ordinary word of recognition passed between her and her mother. Ibid. (1837), Pickw., xxxiv. And now, gentlemen, but one word more.

1842.  Tennyson, Dora, 42. If you speak with him … Or change a word with her.

1855.  Browning, Men & Women (title), One Word More.

1893.  Max Pemberton, Iron Pirate, iii. I leave in ten minutes and write you here my last word.

  d.  spec. Something said on behalf of another; esp. in such phrases as to speak a (good) word for: see also 23. † In quot. 1625, pl. votes.

1540, etc.  [see 23].

1617.  Moryson, Itin., I. 197. A Gentleman … understood that I had been robbed in France, whereupon hee gave his word for me unto the Maior.

1625.  in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 472. Whoesoever … shall labour or practise to gaine woordes for to make a Mayor, Sheriffe, or any other officer.

1831.  Carlyle, Misc. Ess., Early Ger. Lit. (1872), III. 196. The venerable man deserves a word from us.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 301. Any dissolute courtier for whom one of the king’s mistresses would speak a word.

  e.  spec. A watchword or password.

  To give the word: (a) to utter the password in answer to a sentinel’s challenge; (b) to inform officers or men of the password to be used.

[c. 1400–:  see WATCHWORD.]

a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxvii. 230. When he sawe his tyme, he cryed his worde & token.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 93. Lear. Giue the word. Edg. Sweet Mariorum. Lear. Passe.

1667.  Duch. Newc., Life Dk. N. (1886), II. 92. He offered my Lord the keys of the city, and desired him to give the word that night.

1847.  Marryat, Childr. New Forest, v. He gave the word, and the gate was opened.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 608. The word by which the insurgents were to recognise one another in the darkness was Soho. Ibid. (1855), xvi. III. 679. The first morning on which Marlborough had the command, he gave the word ‘Wirtemberg.’

1868.  Queen’s Reg. & Orders Army, ¶ 42. The Governor … will give the Word or parole in all places within his government.

  † 3.  abstr. or collect. sing. (without a or pl.) Speech, speaking: often as distinguished from writing, esp. in phr. by word, now by word of mouth (see 19); also, the faculty of speech; occas. language, tongue. Obs. exc. as in 19.

a. 1000.  Gloria Patri, 56. Þu … him … sealdest word and ʓewitt.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 3043. Þatt Godess enngell seȝȝde þær Till Josæp þuss wiþþ worde.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 24074. Es na tung mai speke wit word, Ne writer write wit pens ord.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 206. Couste in Saxoun is to sein Constance upon the word Romein. Ibid., III. 135. Above alle erthli creatures The hihe makere of natures The word to man hath yove alone.

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet (prose), 44. Sho sal be repreuid foure siþe with worde.

c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 100. The Carll was wantoun of word.

1491.  Acta Dom. Conc. (1839), 185/2. Duncane laid in wedset a land and tenement in Linlithqw to Thomas Gudelad be word and but charter or possessioune.

a. 1553.  Udall, Royster D., II. iii. (Arb.), 36. No man for despite, By worde or by write His felowe to twite.

1580.  Hay, in Cath. Tractates (S.T.S.), 39. The traditions quhilk ye have learned ather be wourd, or be our epistle.

1628.  A. Leighton, Appeal to Parlt., 74. The Anti-episcopall government … which by word and writ he had maintained.

1728.  P. Walker, Life Peden, To Rdr. (1827), p. xiii. It is … maliciously spread, both by Word and Writ.

  4.  sing. and pl. Speech, verbal expression, in contrast with action or thought.

Beowulf, 289. Ʒescad witan worda and worca.

971.  Blickl. Hom., 35. We … agyltaþ … þurh ʓeþoht, & þurh word, & þurh weorc, & þurh willan.

c. 1175.  12th Cent. Hom., 118. Mid worde, mid dæda, & mid alle heortæ.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 65. Ȝif man haueð wið us agilt, woerdes oðer wurkes.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 15263. For þat i sai yow here wit word, Þar sal yee find in dede.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 94. Ouþer in word or dede has þou greued him.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 7. The word was lich to the conceite Withoute semblant of deceite.

c. 1400.  in 26 Pol. Poems, xiii. 127. Wiþ word of wynd, mad neuere werre ende.

1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 19. He was iust & trewe in dede & in word.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, ix. 6. Baith in werk, in word, and eik intent.

c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), i. 109. Wordis w^tout werkis availȝeis nocht a cute.

1601.  B. Jonson, Poetaster, II. v. Great Caesars warres cannot be fought with worde.

1602.  Shaks., Ham., III. iii. 97, 98. My words flye vp, my thoughts remain below, Words without thoughts, neuer to Heauen go. Ibid. (1605), Macb., II. i. 61. Words, to the heat of deedes, too cold breath giues.

1605.  Bodley, Lett. to James, 1 May. Wordes are women, and deedes are men.

1667.  Sprat, Hist. Royal-Soc., 434. A Society that prefers Works before Words.

1671.  Milton, P. R., III. 9. Thy actions to thy words accord.

1800.  Coleridge, Piccol., I. iii. 61. Men’s words are ever bolder than their deeds.

1862.  [see DEED sb. 5 b].

1875.  [see DEED sb. 1].

  5.  pl. orig. in various phr. denoting verbal contention or altercation, e.g., † to be or fall at words (into words), † to have some or many words, † (some) words are between..., etc., now chiefly to have words (with); hence simply words = contentious or violent talk between persons, altercation; also with epithet, as hard, high, sharp.

  † occas. Defamatory or libellous statement.

1462.  Paston Lett., II. 105. Your brother and Debenham were at words.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, iii. 88. Whan we playd togyder, we hade some wordes.

1526.  Hundred Mery Talys (1887), 8. The other agayn said he shuld not, & he agayn said he wold bryng them ouer spyte of his teth & so fell at wordys.

a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxv. 222. Whan I se that wordes [be] betwen you, I shall Issu out.

1565.  Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Altercor, Cum patre altercasti dudum, thou wast at words.

1590.  Tarlton’s News Purgat. (1844), 82. Whereupon they grewe to woords, and from woords to blowes.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. v. 46. In argument vpon a Case, Some words there grew ’twixt Somerset and me.

1663.  Butler, Hud., I. i. 3. When hard Words, Jealousies, and Fears Set Folks together by the Ears.

1684.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), I. 307. His royall highnesse has brought his action of scandalum magnatum against Dr. Titus Oates for words.

1753–4.  Richardson, Grandison, II. xii. 86. High words passed between them. They parted in passion.

1815.  Sixteen & Sixty, II. iii. Lau. Ah, Charles, propriety and myself have been at high words on your account.

1842.  Tennyson, Dora, 16. He and I Had once hard words, and parted.

1848.  Dickens, Dombey, xxxi. Words have arisen between the housemaid and Mr. Towlinson.

1862.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., III. 103. We had got into words about an invitation.

1913.  M. Roberts, Salt of the Sea, vii. 182. My old man said he was a bloodsucker, and that led to words.

  6.  Report, tidings, news, information. (Always in sing. without article, in such phrases as to bring, send, write word; to have word; word came, etc.)

971.  Blickl. Hom., 173. Sona swa þæt word becom to Nerone.

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron., an. 1046. Þam cynge com word þæt unnfriðscipa læʓen be westan and herʓodon.

c. 1205.  Lay., 3732. And Cordoille com þat wourd Þat heo was iworðen widewe.

c. 1205.  [see SEND v.¹ 6 b].

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 826. He sende þe quene is doȝter word wuch is aunters were.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11454. Word cum til herod þe kyng Þat þar was suilk kynges cummun.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xxv. 119. He schall hafe worde within a day and a nyght.

1415.  Sir T. Grey, in 43rd Rep. Dep. Kpr. Rec., 583. He sende me no more worde of yat mater til I cam to Yorke.

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 102. Hur husband … hard no tithandis nor wurd of his wyfe nor of his childer.

a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxv. 221. My brother Huon … is now in the abbay of seint Mauryse, the abbot there hath sent me worde therof.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., III. v. 48. I must carry her word quickely. Ibid. (1606), Ant. & Cl., II. v. 118. Bid you Alexas Bring me word, how tall she is.

1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacræ, I. iv. § 11. Alexander … writ word to his Mother he had found out the head of Nilus in the East Indies.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 284, ¶ 5. Send me Word … whether he has so great an Estate.

1848.  Dickens, Dombey, xlvi. We had word this morning … that Mr. Dombey was doing well.

1850.  Thackeray, Pendennis, lxx. A servant brought word that Major Pendennis had returned.

1853.  Lytton, My Novel, IV. xxiii. The Parson writes word that the lad will come to-day.

  b.  Common report or statement, rumor. (Usually with the, this, etc.) Now rare or Obs.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxviii. 15. Þis wurd wæs ʓewidmærsod mid iudeum.

c. 1205.  Lay., 160. Þa com þat word to him, þat was widene cuð, þat þe king Latin ȝef Lauine his douter Eneam to are brude.

a. 1300.  K. Horn, 1017 (Camb.). Þe word bigan to springe Of Rymenhilde weddinge.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, II. 78. Our all the land the word gan spryng, That the Bruce the Cumyn had slayn.

c. 1578.  [see SPRING v.¹ 2].

1718.  Ramsay, Christ’s Kirk Gr., III. 38. Word gae’d she was nae canny.

1819.  Shelley, Cenci, I. iii. 6. An evil word is gone abroad of me.

1819.  Scott, Noble Moringer, xxi. Her husband died in distant land, such is the constant word.

  † c.  Common report in praise or celebration of a person or his actions; fame, renown, high repute.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Saints’ Lives, vii. 388. Þa asprang his word wide ʓeond land.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 127. Ðo sprong þe word of his holi liflode wide into þe londe.

c. 1205.  Lay., 6302. Of hire wisdome sprong þat word wide.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 88. Wo is me þet he, oðer heo, habbeð swuch word ikeiht.

13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1521. Your worde & your worchip walkez ay quere.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 295. The worde of his werkes thurghe þe worlde sprange.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, III. 252. The worde of him walkit baith fer and ner.

  d.  Reputation, character (of being or having what is stated). Sc.

1722.  Ramsay, Three Bonnets, I. 89. Rosie had word o’ meikle siller, Whilk brought a hantle o’ wooers till her.

1825.  Jamieson, s.v., ‘She gets the word o’ being a licht-headit queyn,’ i.e. it is generally said of her.

  7.  A command, order, bidding; a request. (See also 17.) Usually qualified by possessive or the.

  To say the word: to give the order, say ‘go’ or the like. In phr. to send word sometimes combining senses 6 and 7.

873–89.  K. Ælfred’s Will. Þa word ʓelæstan þe on mines fæder yrfewrite standað.

a. 900.  Cynewulf, Crist, 1630. Hy bræcon cyninges word.

c. 1220.  Bestiary, 51. Silden he us wille, If we heren to his word.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 736. God seide wurd to abram: ‘Abram, ðu fare ut of lond and kin.’

c. 1275.  Passion our Lord, 363, in O. E. Misc., 47. Alle þat beoþ in soþe i-hereþ myne word.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 18053. Quen i word herd þat he badd I quok for him.

1486.  Bk. St. Albans, e v b. The first worde to the houndis that the hunt shall owt pit.

1496.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. I. 29. Please your Graice to send me wourd quhat serves … I sall do.

1526.  Tindale, Luke v. 5. Yet nowe at thy worde I wil loose forthe the net.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 164. His worde only ruled, & his voyce was only hearde.

1560.  Googe, trans. Palingenius’ Zodiac, III. (1561), E viij. If thou sayst the woord, we goe.

1594.  Shaks., Hen. V., IV. vi. 38. Then euery souldiour kill his Prisoners, Giue the word through. Ibid. (1601), Jul. C., I. ii. 104. Vpon the word, Accoutred as I was, I plunged in.

1631.  Heywood, 1st Pt. Fair Maid of W., IV. i. 44. Shall I strike that Captaine? say the word, Ile have him by the eares.

1667.  Milton, P. L., III. 708. When at his Word the formless Mass … came to a heap: Confusion heard his voice, and wilde uproar Stood rul’d.

1753–4.  Richardson, Grandison, I. xxxvii. 279. I rang … to beg my cousins’ company. They wanted but the word: In they came.

1803.  Wordsw., Sonn. Pass Killicranky, 12. O for a single hour of that Dundee, Who on that day the word of onset gave!

1806.  [see SPEAK v. 21].

1842.  Tennyson, Dora, 25. In my time a father’s word was law.

1856.  Dickens, Christmas Stories (1874), 50. I gave Rames the word to lower the Longboat and the Surf-boat.

  b.  Ten Words: the Ten Commandments, the Decalogue. Obs. or arch.

1382.  Wyclif, Deut., iv. 13. The ten wordis, that he wroot in the two stonen tablis.

1650.  Trapp, Comm. Exod. xx. 17. These ten words written by God himself.

1884.  S. Cox, Miracles, 18. The fundamental moralities of the ‘Ten Words.’

  8.  A promise, undertaking. Almost always with possessive, as in to give (pass, pledge) one’s word, to keep (hold arch.) one’s word, to break one’s word; to be as good as one’s word, to keep one’s promise (so to be worse than one’s word, to break one’s promise); a man of († master of, etc.) his word, one who keeps his promises; also on († in, under) the word of (a prince, etc.). See also 15, 18, 28 b.

  See also BOND sb.¹ 8, BREAK v. 15 c, PLEDGE v. 2 b, PLIGHT v.¹ 2, etc.

[971.  Blickl. Hom., 243. Hwær syndon þine word, Drihten…. ‘Ʒif ʓe me ʓehyrað and ʓe me beoð fylʓende, ne an loc of eowrum heafde forwyrð?’

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron., an. 1014 (Laud MS.). Man … freondscipe ʓefæstnode mid worde & mid wædde.]

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 67. It sit wel every wiht To kepe his word in trowthe upryht.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, II. i. (1883), 22. That the symple parole or worde of a prynce ought to be more stable than the oth of a marchaunt.

1496.  Rolls of Parlt., VI. 513/2. The said Kyng … bound hym by his writyng,… and also in the worde of a Kyng promysed to kepe the same.

1526.  Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 527/2. Our soverane lord promittis fathfullye and on the word of ane kyng, that [etc.].

1542.  Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 304. Neither proued Marcus Tullius a false manne of his woorde.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 98 b. My Lorde of Winchester … hath subscribed … vnder the worde of priestehod, to stande at the aduise … of the persones abouesaied.

1555.  Instit. Gentl., E iij b. The seconde … poynte in a Gentleman … is promes kepyng, as to bee Mayster to hys woorde.

1580.  T. Forrest, Perf. Looking Gl., 5 b. Haue … greater care in geuing thy worde, then in lending thy money.

1584.  Lodge, Alarum (Shaks. Soc.), 60. Promising … (so his creditour woulde be his wordes master) to doo his indeavour to perfourme his will.

1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., I. i. 222. Keepe word Lysander. Ibid., III. ii. 266–8. Lys. I will keepe my word with thee. Dem. I would I had your bond:… Ile not trust your word.

1593.  Nashe, Christ’s T., To Rdr. *4 b. The deuill & he be no men of their words.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., V. v. 258. To Master Broome, you yet shall hold your word. Ibid. (1601), Twel. N., III. iv. 357. For that I promis’d you Ile be as good as my word.

1633.  Bp. Hall, Occas. Medit. (ed. 3), 256. An honest mans word must be his maister.

1672.  Wycherley, Love in Wood, V. v. Will you be worse then your word?

1744.  M. Bishop, Life, 130. They … did not fly from their Words but stood firmly to what they first proposed.

1813.  Scott, Trierm., III. xxii. I swore upon the rood, Neither to stop, nor turn, nor rest,… In life or death I hold my word!

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 535. Having solemnly pledged his word … not to attempt anything against the government.

1861.  Reade, Cloister & H., lv. Give me your words to show her no countenance.

1886.  Rider Haggard, Jess, iii. No English government goes back on its word.

  9.  With possessive: Assertion, affirmation, declaration, assurance; esp. as involving the veracity or good faith of the person who makes it. See also 15, 18, 28 b.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., I. v. 87. Sir Toby will be sworn that I am no Fox, but he wil not passe his word for two pence that you are no Foole. Ibid. (1610), Temp., II. i. 86. His word is more then the miraculous Harpe.

1730.  Lett. to Sir W. Strickland rel. to Coal Trade, 30. The Buyer … must take his Goods unseen on the Seller’s Word.

1736.  Ainsworth, Engl. Lat. Dict., To call back one’s word, recanto, retracto, denego.

1744.  M. Bishop, Life, 211. I just saved my Word.

1850.  Thackeray, Pendennis, xi. I give you my word that my brother did not leave a shilling to his son.

1859.  H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, vi. What surety had he that Lee would leave him in peace…? none but his word—the word of a villain like that.

1869.  Spurgeon, Treas. David, Ps. vii. 3–6. If we cannot be believed on our word, we are surely not to be trusted on our oath.

  10.  a. An utterance or declaration in the form of a phrase or sentence. arch. (Cf. 25.)

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom. (Th.), II. 236. Ðæt word belimpð synderlice to Gode anum, Ic eom.

1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., I. iii. 152. The hopelesse word, of Neuer to returne, Breath I against thee.

1780.  Cowper, Boadicea, 13. Rome shall perish—write that word In the blood that she has spilt.

1903.  J. Keatinge, Priest, iii. 46. We should put down the three words ‘Peace,’ ‘Perseverance,’ ‘A worthy Communion to-day.’

  b.  A pithy or sententious utterance; a saying; a maxim; a proverb. Now rare or merged in 2, exc. in BYWORD 1, NAYWORD¹ 2 (dial.), household word (see HOUSEHOLD 8); † in first quot., a ‘dark’ saying, riddle.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, iii. (Andreas), 1079. Gywe [= if] he cane vndo þat worde.

a. 1400.  Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS., 49. Ife þou will be lufely, resayfe these thre wordes with-owtten forgetynge.

1599–1888.  [see HOUSEHOLD 8].

1645.  Bp. Hall, Rem. Discontents, 130. It is a true word of Saint Augustine, that every soul is either Christs Spouse, or the Devils Harlot.

1833.  De Quincey, Revol. Greece, Wks. (ed. Masson), VII. 317. It seemed likely … that … Shakspere’s deep word would be realized, and ‘darkness be the burier of the dead.’

1853.  Trench, Prov., 26. That well-known word which forbids the too accurate scanning of a present, ‘One must not look a gift horse in the mouth.’

  † c.  A significant phrase or short sentence inscribed upon something; = MOT¹ 1, MOTTO 1. Obs.

1431.  E. E. Wills (1882), 88. My creste, myn armes,… and my word ‘mercy and ioie.’

a. 1500.  Assemb. Ladies, 87. On her purfyl her word … Bien et loyalment.

1562.  Legh, Armorie (1568), 42 b. The armes of euerye gentleman … with the supporters helme, wreathe, and creast, with mantelles, and the woorde.

1589.  Pasquil’s Ret., D iij. The Painter … hath drawne him his word with a Text-pen. Zelus domus tuæ comedit me.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. iv. 38. And round about the wreath this word was writ, Burnt I do burne.

c. 1630.  Risdon, Surv. Devon, § 144 (1810), 159. His word was quid non.

  11.  Religious and theological uses (in sing., mostly with possessive or def. article); often in full, the word of God (God’s word), the word of the Lord, etc.

  a.  A divine communication, command, or proclamation, as one made to or through a prophet or inspired person; esp. the message of the gospel (also the word of Christ, of grace, of life, etc.).

971.  Blickl. Hom., 141. On þa ilcan stowe on þære þe we wæron ʓesamnode þær we ʓeherdan Godes word.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xiii. 19. Ælc þæra þe godes wurd ʓehyrð. Ibid., Mark iv. 14.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 81. Þis monne me mei sermonen mid godes worde, for hwat he scal his sunne uorsaken.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 19214. Vte o þair hali hertes hord Spedli þai speld godds word.

a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, cxviii[i]. 172. My tunge sall shew forth þi worde.

1382.  Wyclif, 2 Sam. vii. 4. And loo! the word of the Lord to Nathan, seiynge, Go, and spek to my seruaunt Dauid, Thes thingis seith the Lord. Ibid., Col. iii. 16. The word of Crist dwelle in ȝou plenteuously.

1450–1530.  Myrr. our Ladye, II. 145. As my sowlle suffereth pacyently wronges … in obedyence of his worde. So I hope to be rewarded after the trouthe of his worde.

1526.  Tindale, Mark iv. 17. As sone as eny trouble or persecucion ariseth for the wordes sake, anon they fall. Ibid. (1526), Acts iv. 31. They spake the worde of god boldely. Ibid., xx. 32. I commende you to god and to the worde of his grace.

1564.  Martiall, Treat. Crosse, 83. The lawes of the church (which lawes are the worde off god).

1601.  Bp. W. Barlow, Defence, 181. The ministerie of the word is a coadiutor with the Spirite.

1648.  T. Shepard, Clear Sunshine of Gosp., 12. This old man hath much affection stirred up by the Word.

1758.  Wesley, Hymn, ‘See how great a flame aspires,’ iii. Sons of God, your Saviour praise!… He hath given the word of grace.

1859.  Geo. Eliot, Adam Bede, xlix. Where I used to be blessed in carrying the word of life to the sinful and desolate.

1921.  Act 11 & 12 Geo. V., c. 29 Sched. vii. To … promote union with other Churches in which it finds the Word to be purely preached.

1927.  Abp. Davidson, Addr. Convoc., 29 March, in Church Times, 1 April, 392/1. Right Reverend and Reverend Brothers in the Sacred Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

  b.  The Bible, Scripture, or some part or passage of it, as embodying a divine communication.

1553.  Proclam., 18 Aug., 1. Some euell disposed persons, whiche take vpon them … to interprete the worde of God, after theyr owne brayne.

1570.  Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), 2187/1. Gage. The worde sayth it is his body before it is eaten. Wood. Those words would I faine heare: but I am sure they be not in the Bible.

1567.  Allen, Def. Priesthood, Pref. They remember well (such is theyr exercise in y^e woord) how y^e disdayne of Moyses & Aarons prelacy ouer y^e people [etc.].

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., III. i. 44. What? the Sword, and the Word? Doe you study them both, Mr. Parson?

1781.  Cowper, Hope, 659. Mighty to parry and push by God’s word With senseless noise.

1859.  H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, xl. Read us a chapter out of the Bible. I am very low in my mind, and at such times I like to hear the Word.

1875.  Manning, Mission Holy Ghost, i. 7. The word of God declares, first of all, that the Son of God is ‘The true Light.’

  c.  The Word (of God, of the Father), the Eternal Word, etc., as a title of Christ: = LOGOS, q.v.

c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John i. 1. In principio erat uerbum, in fruma uæs uord.

1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 615. Godus worþliche word as we wel trowen, Is sone soþliche of man.

c. 1400.  Sowdone Bab., 3. God … That al thinge made in sapience By vertue of woorde and holy goost.

1450–1530.  Myrr. our Ladye, II. 103. The endelesse worde of the father that is oure lorde Iesu cryste.

1567.  Allen, Def. Priesthood, 19. The seruile fourme of our owne nature, ioyned merueilously in one person, to the woorde and eternall Sonne of God the Father.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VII. 163. And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee This I perform.

1784.  Cowper, Task, V. 897. Thou art the source and centre of all minds … eternal Word!

1805–6.  Cary, Dante, Parad., VII. 29. Until it pleas’d the Word of God to come Amongst them down.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., xxxvi. And so the Word had breath, and wrought With human hands the creed of creeds.

1875.  Lightfoot, Colossians, 221/2. The Eternal Word is the goal of the Universe, as He was the starting point.

  II.  An element of speech.

  12.  A combination of vocal sounds, or one such sound, used in a language to express an idea (e.g., to denote a thing, attribute or relation), and constituting an ultimate minimal element of speech having a meaning as such; a vocable.

  Sometimes with reference to the writing of a word as an indivisible unity, e.g., as one or a single word, as two words.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gram., ii. (Z.), 5. Butan ðam stafum ne mæʓ nan word beon awriten.

a. 1400[?].  Wyclif’s Bible, Prol. 57. This word autem, either vero, mai stonde for forsothe, either for but.

1450–1530.  Myrr. Our Ladye, I. ii. 7. There ys many wordes in Latyn that we haue no propre englyssh accordynge therto. Ibid., II. 77. Thys worde Amen ys a worde of hebrew.

1581.  Mulcaster, Positions, xli. (1888), 244. Wordes be names of thinges applyed and giuen according to their properties.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., IV. i. 68. You doe ill to teach the childe such words.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxxi. 192. Words … have their signification by agreement, and constitution of men.

1677.  [see WITTICISM].

1694.  Locke, Hum. Und., III. ii. § 1 (ed. 2), 223, marg. Words are sensible Signs necessary for Communication.

1746.  Francis, trans. Hor., Epist., II. ii. 170. Long darken’d Words he shall with Art refine.

1802.  Wordsw., Resolution & Indep., xiv. Choice word and measured phrase, above the reach Of ordinary men.

1819.  Shelley, Cenci, V. iv. 14. These three words … ‘They must die.’

1853.  Trench, Prov., 31. So long as a language is living, it will be appropriating foreign words, putting forth new words of its own.

1875.  Jevons, Money (1878), 250. We use a great many words with a total disregard of logical precision.

1884.  J. A. H. Murray, N. E. D., I. Gen. Explan. p. xxiii. There are necessarily many compounds as to which usage has not yet determined whether they are to be written with the hyphen or as single words.

  b.  † (a) As designating a thing or person: A name, title, appellation. Obs. (b) As expressing an idea: A term, expression.

c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., V. xi. On his mæran ceastre, seo ealde worde þare þeoda is nemned Wiltaburhʓ.

971.  Blickl. Hom., 135. ‘Ic eow sende frofre Gast.’ Þæs wordes andʓit is swa mon cweþe þingere oþþe frefrend.

1533.  Bellenden, Livy, V. xv. (S.T.S.), 200. Sa þir gaulis, following the werde of þe said place (quhare þai war cumin to), biggit ane toun namit millane.

1571.  Ld. Burghley, in E. Nares, Mem. (1830), II. 544, note. Your assured loving friend, William Cecill. I forgot my new word, William Burleigh.

1596.  Edward III., II. i. 85. Deuise for faire a fairer word then faire.

1596.  Harington, Metam. Ajax, H 4. I doe before hand gyue the worde of disgrace to any that shal so say.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 354. Sulphureous and Mercuriall, which are the Chymists Words.

1668.  Moxon, Dyalling, 48. An Explanation of some Words of Art used in this Book.

1848.  Clough, Amours de Voy., I. 10. Rubbishy seems the word that most exactly would suit it.

  c.  A written (engraved, printed, etc.) character or set of characters representing this.

a. 1000.  Riddles, xlvii[i]. Moððe word fræt.

1521.  [see WRITE v. B. 2].

1612, 1888.  [see SPELL v.² 3].

1725.  Watts, Logic, I. iv. § 1. We convey [our Ideas] to each other by the Means of certain Sounds, or written Marks, which we call Words.

1845.  Maurice, Mor. Philos., in Encycl. Metrop., II. 556/1. Betokening, as the words inscribed upon their foreheads implied, that they were a dedicated race.

1904.  Budge, 3rd & 4th Egypt. Rooms Brit. Mus., 210. The common name for words of power of all kinds is ‘heku,’ and whether they were inscribed upon amulets, or merely recited over them, the effect was the same.

  d.  In contrast with the thing or idea signified.

c. 1450.  Bk. Curtesy (Oriel MS.), 343. His [sc. Chaucer’s] longage was so feyre and pertinent, That semed vnto mennys heryng, Not only the worde, but verrely the thing.

1699.  Bentley, Phal., vii. 189. Wise men take Words for the shadow of Things.

1722.  Wollaston, Relig. Nat., v. 87. This word [sc. nature] … frequently … is used merely as a word…, they who use it not knowing themselves, what they mean by it.

1754.  Gray, Poesy, 110. Thoughts that breath, and words that burn.

1782.  Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., I. I. 114. A business of words only, and ideas not concerned in it.

1822.  Examiner, 723/2. Men are apt to be led away by words.

1827–1876.  [see THING sb.¹ 8 a].

1867.  Dk. Argyll, Reign of Law, ii. (ed. 4), 63. Words, which should be the servants of Thought, are too often its masters.

1898.  ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Roden’s Corner, x. 106. ‘You don’t take any interest in the Malgamite scheme?’ ‘No,… And I am weary of the very word.’

1912.  Times, 5 Aug., 7/3. Whether this is to be described as an extension of the Monroe doctrine, or as an application of the wider principle that each State may take what measures it deems essential for its safety, is question of words.

  e.  The word (as predicate): the right word for the thing, the proper expression; hence contextually denoting or indicating the thing spoken of, esp. the business in hand or to be done. colloq.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., III. v. 58. Bid them prepare dinner. Clow. That is done to sir, onely couer is the word. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., V. iv. 155. Come Sir, are you ready for death?… Hanging is the word, Sir. Ibid., v. 422. Pardon’s the word to all.

1700.  Congreve, Way of World, I. ix. If Throats are to be cut, let Swords clash; Snug’s the Word, I shrug and am silent.

a. 1704, 1852.  [see MUM sb.¹ B].

1713.  Addison, Spect., No. 403, ¶ 5. Sharp’s the Word.

1775.  Sheridan, Duenna, II. ii. Trust me when tricking is the word.

1848.  Dickens, Dombey, xlviii. Steady’s the word, and steady it is. Keep her so!

1885.  Howells, Ind. Summer, ii. 16. Lady-like was the word for Mrs. Bowen.

1885.  W. S. Gilbert, Princess Ida, II. Contempt? Why, damsel, when I think of man, Contempt is not the word.

  III.  Phrases. (See also above senses.)

  * with preposition.

  13.  a. At a or one word: (a) upon the utterance of a single word; as soon as a word is spoken; without further parley; without more ado; at once, forthwith; so † at the first word; (b) in short, briefly, in a word; so † at wordes thre, † at fewe wordes, † at wordes short, etc. To be at a or one word: to be brief. Obs. exc. arch. or dial.

a. 1300.  K. Horn, 118 (Harl.). Þe children ede to þe stronde … Ant in to shipes borde At þe furste worde.

13[?].  Gregorius, 618, in Herrig, Arch. Neu. Spr., LV. 435. A Cardinal þer spac a mong, schortliche he seide at wordes þreo.

13[?].  Coer de L., 100. Seuene score, and moo j wene, Welcomyd hem alle at on wurd. Ibid., 2813. The Sarezynes … comen afftyr ffaste fflyngyng, At schorte wurdes a gret route.

c. 1375.  Cursor M., 7770 (Fairf.). Þen drogh saule his awen squorde And slogh him-self atte a worde.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., Prol. 11. Pleynly at a word, Thy drasty rymyng is nat worth a toord.

14[?].  Seege of Troy, 1724. Alisaunder dyed at worddis short.

a. 1400–50.  Bk. Curtasye, 764, in Babees Bk., When þe sewer comys vnto þe borde, Alle þe mete he sayes at on bare worde.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 2129. Thou shalt be holpen at wordis fewe.

c. 1420.  Liber Cocorum (1862), 17. Hakke hom on a borde, As smalle as þou may, at a worde.

c. 1430.  Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 363. Thes vii sages … bad here lodesman at a word Shuld cast hem ouer the ship bord.

1483.  Vulgaria quedam abs Terentio, 2 b. Tell me att oon word [vno verbo] what thou woldist wyth me.

1597.  Morley, Introd. Mus., 123. At a word I would haue flung it awaie.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. ii. 319. Go-too: I haue spoke at a word. Fare you well. Ibid. (1598), Merry W., I. i. 109. He hath wrong’d me, indeed he hath, at a word he hath. Ibid., iii. 15. I am at a word: follow. Ibid. (1599), Much Ado, I. i. 118. Vrsula. I know you well enough, you are Signior Anthonio. Anth. At a word, I am not. Ibid. (1601), Jul. C., I. ii. 270. If I would not haue taken him at a word, I would I might goe to Hell.

1605.  Camden, Rem., Surnames, 104. At a word, all [names] which in English had Of set before them,… and all which in Latine … have had De præfixed,… were borrowed from places.

1609.  Holland, Amm. Marcell., 331. That I may speake fully at a word, it is the most plentifull habitation and seat of Kings.

1694.  Penn, Rise & Progr. Quakers, ii. 45. They were at a Word in Dealing: Nor could their customers many Words tempt them from it.

1777.  S. J. Pratt, Emma Corbett, i. 1. To be at a word: will you render it possible for me to call you my son?

1831.  Scott, Ct. Robt., xxvi. So you may at a word count upon remaining prisoner here until [etc.].

a. 1845.  B’ness Nairne, Song, Caller Herrin’, vii. At ae word be in ye’re dealin’.

  † b.  At one word: of one mind. Obs.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6812. Boþe hii were at one worde to libbe in clene liue, So þat hii were wiþoute eir.

  c.  To take a person at his word: to assent to his statement, or agree to his proposal; to accept what he says and act accordingly.

1535.  Coverdale, 1 Kings xx. 33. He sayde: yf he be yet alyue, he is my brother. And the men toke him shortly at his worde,… and sayde: Yee Benadab is thy brother.

1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., I. ii. 17. Ant. Get thee away. Dro. Many a man would take you at your word And goe indeede.

1670.  Dryden, Conq. Granada, II. i. Old as I am I take thee at thy word, And will tomorrow thank thee with my sword.

1742.  Fielding, J. Andrews, III. xii. One of the servants whispered Joseph to take him at his word, and suffer the old put to walk if he would.

1800.  Wordsw., Idle Shepherd-Boys, v. ‘Come on, and tread where I shall tread.’ The other took him at his word, And followed as he led.

1884.  Manch. Exam., 12 May, 4/7. Our contemporaries must not be offended if we decline to take them quite at their word.

  14.  a. In a word: in a simple or short (esp. comprehensive) statement or phrase; briefly, in short. Now only introductory or parenthetical. Occas. in one word; also † with a word.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., II. iv. 71. His yeares but yong, but his experience old; His head vn-mellowed, but his Iudgement ripe; And in a word … He is compleat in feature, and in minde. Ibid. (1596), 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 283. Then did we two, set on you foure, and with a word, outfac’d you from your prize.

1598.  R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Andria, I. i. Tell me in a word what ist you would with me?

1665.  Boyle, Occas. Refl., II. xiv. 235. To return to my former Studies, and Recreations, and Dyet; and in a word, to my wonted course of Life.

1704.  Norris, Ideal World, II. xii. 496. If you will have in one word a just distribution of each, it is this, that the Idea we see in God, but the sentiment we feel in ourselves.

1710.  Berkeley, Princ. Hum. Knowl., I. § 4. Houses, Mountains, Rivers, and in a word all sensible Objects.

1855.  Orr’s Circ. Sci., Inorg. Nat., 236. Some natural exposure on a cliff, in a valley, by a stream, or wherever—in a word—the surface coating of soil being absent, the underlying rock can be seen.

1892.  Westcott, Gospel of Life, 13. Man in a word is dependant on that which lies outside himself.

  b.  In so many words (trans. L. totidem verbis, cf. SO 37 d): lit. in precisely that number of words; in those very words; also, † word for word.

1670.  W. Walker, Idiomat. Anglo-Lat., 23. I rendred it even almost in so many words … totidem fere verbis interpretatus sum.

1720.  De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xv. (1840), 253. William told us in so many words, that it was impossible.

1836.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Scotland-Yard. That the Lord Mayor had threatened in so many words to pull down the old London Bridge, and build up a new one.

1881.  W. Collins, Black Robe, I. 194. That the object was to bring Romayne and Stella together … was as plain to him as if he had heard it confessed in so many words.

  15.  On or upon one’s word: (a) in const. with a verb, in sense 8 or 9: On the security of, or as bound by, one’s promise or affirmation; hence (b) as an asseveration, on or upon († of, † a) my word: Assuredly, certainly, truly, indeed.

  (a)  1598.  R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Andria, V. i. The good turne that … you promised me on your word.

1600.  E. Blount, trans. Conestaggio, 206. If he woulde assure him vpon his word, he would go to the campe.

1607.  Dekker & Webster, Northw. Hoe, II. i. Doll. … Tis but poore fifty pound. Alla. If that bee all, you shall vpon your worde take vp so much with me.

  (b)  1588.  Shaks., Tit. A., IV. iii. 59. Of my word, I haue written to effect. Ibid. (1592), Rom. & Jul., I. i. 1. A my word wee’l not carry coales. Ibid. (1598), Merry W., IV. ii. 61. He will seeke there on my word.

1643.  Decl. Commons Rebell. Irel., 52. Upon my word your Lordship is little beholding to him.

1646.  in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 308. But of my word she will not meet with the like proffer again.

1766.  Goldsm., Vicar W., xvii. A very good boy, Bill, upon my word.

1848.  Dickens, Dombey, xxxix. Upon my word and honour, Captain Gills, it would be a charity to give me the pleasure of your acquaintance.

1871.  Geo. Eliot, Middlem., xxxviii. II. 295. Upon my word, I think the truth is the hardest missile one can be pelted with.

  b.  (with ellipsis of prep.) My word! as an ejaculation of surprise. colloq. or vulgar.

1857.  Locker, Lond. Lyrics, 72. Half London was there, and, my word, there were few … But envied Lord Nigel’s felicity.

1890.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer, xix. My word!… that’s something like a mob!

  ** with another sb.

  16.  A word and a blow: a brief utterance of anger or defiance, followed immediately by the delivery of a blow, as the beginning of a fight; hence in reference to prompt or sudden action of any kind; sometimes used predicatively of a person. Also (with hyphens) attrib.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., III. i. 43. Tyb. … Gentlemen, Good den, a word with one of you. Mer. And but one word with one of vs? couple it with something, make it a word and a blow.

1639.  J. Clarke, Parœm., 178. He’s but a word and a blowe.

1753.  Richardson, Grandison (1811), IV. xxvi. 207. My cousins are grieved [at my going so soon]: they did not expect that I would be a word and a blow, as they phrase it.

1820.  Byron, Juan, III. xlviii. With him it never was a word and blow, His angry word once o’er, he shed no blood.

1840.  Mrs. Trollope, M. Armstrong, iv. Mr. Joseph Parsons had a Napoleon-like promptitude of action, which the unlearned operatives described by calling him ‘a word-and-a-blow man.’

1847.  Ruxton, Adv. Mexico, xxvii. 242. Firm friends and bitter enemies, with them it is ‘a word and a blow.’

  17.  Word of command: a word or short phrase uttered by an officer to a body of soldiers as an order for some particular movement or evolution; also by a carter to a horse, etc.

1639.  R. Ward, Animadv. War, I. 230. You are to use these words of Command following.

1684.  R. H., School Recr., 45. Keep … your Musket hard against your Shoulder after you have fired, till the next Word of Command.

1726.  Swift, Gulliver, II. vii. I have seen this whole Body of Horse upon a Word of Command draw their Swords at once.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., iv. The hoarse shout of the word of command ran along [the line].

1853.  [see COMMAND sb. 1 b].

1898.  [see GEE int., def.].

  18.  Word of honor: an affirmation or promise by which one pledges one’s honor or good faith.

1765.  Connecticut Courant, 30 Dec., 4/2. Each and every Person, for himself, upon his Word of Honor, agree, that he will strictly adhere to the foregoing Articles.

1814.  D. H. O’Brien, Captiv. & Escape, 65. They suspected we were deserters…. We assured them upon our word of honour, they were very much mistaken.

1896.  Edith Thompson, in Monthly Packet, Christmas No. 97. He had passed his word of honour … that he would report himself at the fort.

  19.  By word of mouth: by speaking, as distinguished from writing or other method of expression; orally. Hence word-of-mouth attrib., executed, done, given, etc., by speaking; oral.

  a. 1553.  Udall, Royster D., III. ii. (Arb.), 40. A little message vnto hir by worde of mouth.

1598.  R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Hecyra, I. ii. It cannot be told by word of mouth, howe desirous I was to returne hither againe.

1601–1849.  [see MOUTH sb. 3 c].

1638.  Featly, Strict. Lyndom., II. 121. Pretending I know not what nuncupatory will by word of mouth.

1639.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Pt. Summers Trav., 44. They can flatter … with Pen, Picture, and by word of mouth.

1752.  Berkeley, Th. Tar-water, Wks. 1871, III. 498. Of this I have been informed by letters, and by word of mouth.

1883.  D. C. Murray, Hearts, xxxiv. (1885), 288. He would rather tell him of this by word of mouth than by letter.

  1802–12.  Bentham, Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827), II. 562. Word-of-mouth wills are, in certain cases, allowed by the Statute of Frauds. Ibid. (1829), Justice & Cod. Petit., Abr. Petit. Justice, 6. The language … employed in word-of-mouth discussion.

1894.  K. Hewat, Little Scottish World, Pref. p. xii. The Author has also to acknowledge his indebtedness … for much word-of-mouth information.

  b.  humorously in reference to drinking.

1738.  Swift, Pol. Conversat., ii. 164. Come, Sir John, take it by Word of Mouth, and then give it the Colonel. (Sir John drinks.)

  20.  Word for word: in the exact, or (in reference to translation) precisely corresponding, words: VERBATIM A. 1 a, b. Also (with hyphens) attrib. = VERBATIM B. 1.

  c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1002, Dido. I coude folwe word for word Virgile.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, II. v. (1883), 61. He … dyde do saye to hym word for worde lyke as the physicien had sayd.

1538.  Coverdale, N. T., Ded. +ij b. We do not followe thys olde Latyn texte word for word.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., I. iii. 28. He … speaks three or four languages word for word without booke.

1656.  Cowley, Pindar. Odes, Pref. If a man should undertake to translate Pindar word for word.

1686.  Horneck, Crucif. Jesus, xxii. 741. Some … have been able to rehearse the whole New Testament word for word.

1746.  Francis, trans. Horace, Art of Poetry, 191. Dwell not on Incidents already known: Nor Word for Word translate with painful Care.

1862.  Mrs. H. Wood, Mrs. Hallib., I. viii. ‘I will faithfully repeat it to you,’… ‘Faithfully?—word for word?’

1878.  W. T. Thornton (title), Word for Word from Horace.

1891.  Law Times, XCII. 107/1. The 8th section of the Act of 1874 is word for word the same as the 40th section of the Act of 1833.

  c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, To Rdr. A 4 b. Those Translators … that affect Their word-for-word traductions.

1858–9.  G. P. Marsh, Engl. Lang., xvii. (1860), 361. More closely literal, more exactly word-for-word translations.

  b.  So † word after word (occas. † after the word), word by word (also attrib.), † word in word, † fro word into word.

[a. 1000.  Ælfred’s Boeth., Proem. Hwilum he sette word be worde, hwilum andʓit of andʓite.]

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 17. Ich wille … segge ou þe crede word after word.

1379.  Glouc. Cath. MS. 19, No. 1. I. iii. lf. 7. All that I have sayde yn this chapitre Isaac techith word by word.

a. 1400[?].  Wyclif’s Bible, Prol. xv. 57. This wole … make the sentence open, where to Englisshe it aftir the word, wolde be derk and douteful.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. ii. 144. The … late named psalmes … ben ouer long to be rehercid word bi word here.

c. 1475.  Partenay, 3187. Geffray the letters After breke and rayd, Fro wurde unto wurd.

1493.  Acta Dom. Conc. (1839), 308/2. Þe bill of Complaint … of þe quhilk þe tenour folowis word in word.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 2 b. Then turnyng hymself to his accuser, [he] declared worde by worde what he had said.

1575.  (title) A Commentarie of M. Doctor Martin Luther upon the Epistle of S. Paul to the Galathians first collected and gathered word by word out of his preaching.

1613.  R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Verbatim, word by word.

1865.  Ruskin, Sesame, i. § 25. The kind of word-by-word examination of your author which is rightly called ‘reading.’

1927.  H. W. Fowler, S. P. E. Tract, No. XXVI, 193. And let me here accept my title word by word: I am a moralizer because I wish morals to be drawn [etc.].

  *** with qualifying adj.

  21.  Fair words (FAIR a. 5): pleasant or attractive speech (usually implying deceitfulness or insincerity).

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 899. Me nædre … to forsceape scyhte & to scyldfrece fah wyrm þurh fæʓr word.

c. 1200.  Vices & Virtues (1888), 11. Ic habbe beswiken min emcristen mid faire wordes.

1538.  Starkey, England, II. ii. (1878), 191. By hys dyssymulatyon and fare wordys.

1546.  J. Heywood, Prov., I. ix. (1867), 18. It hurteth not the tounge to geue fayre wurdis.

1639.  [see PARSNIP 1 b].

1676.  Wycherley, Plain Dealer, V. Fair words butter no cabbage.

1697.  Dampier, Voy., I. 282. The men began to murmur against Captain Swan … but he gave them fair words.

1897.  E. W. Jennings, in Pall Mall Mag., Nov., 340. ‘Ho, ho! my masters,’ cried he; ‘fair words break no bones, and foul ones take the wherewithal to mend them.’

  22.  Of few words: not given to much or lengthy speaking; taciturn; laconic.

c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 175. Off fewe wordis, full wyss and worthy thai war.

1561.  T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, I. E iij. Of few wordes, and no bragger.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., III. ii. 38. That men of few Words are the best men.

1697.  Lond. Gaz., No. 3260/4. Well set and middle sized, and of few Words.

1759.  Dilworth, Pope, 120. [Gay] had always been a man of but few words.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxiv. Mr. Dubbley, who was a man of few words, nodded assent.

  23.  Good word: a friendly, favorable or laudatory utterance; something said on behalf of or in commendation of a person or thing. To give (one) a good word, to speak well of. To say or speak a good word for, (spec.) to recommend to the favor of another. † In pl. also (a) used ellipt. in deprecation of angry or violent speech (see GOOD a. 7 b, quot. c. 1592); (b) in bad sense = fair words (21).

c. 1205.  Lay., 665. Heo hine gretten mid godene heore worden.

[a. 1300.  Cursor M., 20095 Þan spak ihesus words gode, Als he hang þar on þe rode.]

1540.  Palsgr., Acolastus, III. i. N iv. [Thou] dyddest speke a good word for me, and dydst tourne away … the … strokes from me.

1548, a. 1632.  [see GOOD a. 7 b].

1562.  J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr., II. ix. (1867), 77. Good woordes bryng not euer of good deedes good hope.

1573.  Baret, Alv., W 352. That helpeth one with his good worde at a time, suffragatorius.

1607.  Shaks., Timon, I. ii. 217. You gaue good words the other day of a Bay Courser I rod on.

1622.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Farew. Tower-bottles, A 7. False hearts can put on good wordes and lookes.

1698.  Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 222. Only giving us good words instead of Payment.

1699.  Bentley, Phal., Pref. p. xlviii. The Good Word, that Mr. Grævius has been pleas’d publicly to give me.

1731–8.  Swift, Pol. Conversat., i. 71. I know I shall always have your good Word.

1852.  C. B. Mansfield, Paraguay, etc. (1856), 364. My friend M. Cerruti … has diplomatic business here; and with his good words … I hope to be in clover.

a. 1859.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xxiii. V. 78. It was … not in the character of tenant that the Czar was likely to gain the good word of civilised men.

1892.  [see GOOD a. 7 b].

  24.  Half a word (HALF a. 1 b): a very short utterance, a slight fragment of speech or conversation.

1700.  T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem., 19. Taking it for granted, that we two understand one another by half a Word.

1865.  Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. vi. Might I have half a word with you?

  25.  Last word (in special senses). a. The final utterance in a conversation or (esp.) dispute. b. pl. The latest utterance of a person before death. The Seven Last Words, the seven utterances of Christ on the cross (also simply The Seven Words). c. The final or conclusive statement, after which there is no more to be said; hence transf. (also latest word) the final achievement, the latest thing.

  a.  1563.  Foxe, A. & M., 1416/2. My lorde of Lincolne … sayde that thou were a frantike felow, and a man that wyll haue the last worde.

1593.  G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super., Wks. (Grosart), II. 43. Come hee- and shee-scoldes, you that … will rather loose your liues, then the last word.

1875.  Le Fanu, Willing to Die, xxxvi. It was plain … she would have one last word more.

  b.  1692.  H. Harrison (title), The Last Words of a Dying Penitent.

1808.  Scott, Marm., VI. xxxii. ‘Charge, Chester, charge! On, Stanley, on!’ Were the last words of Marmion.

1870.  trans. Bellarmino (title), The Seven Words from the Cross.

1874.  E. King (title), Meditations on the last seven words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1883.  Grove, Dict. Mus., III. 476. Seven Last Words, The … a composition of Haydn’s dating about 1785…. The ‘Seven Words’ were for long a favourite in Vienna both in church and concert-room.

  c.  1881, 1891.  [see LAST a. 6].

1888.  Daily News, 21 Sept., 5/6. Stripes are still in very great fovour, both for gowns and the long mantles that are the latest ‘word’ of Paris fashions.

1901.  ‘Lucas Malet,’ Sir Richard Calmady, V. vi. The clothes … supposed … to present the last word of English fashion.

  26.  Of many words: given to much or lengthy speaking, loquacious, talkative, verbose; also said of a statement, verbose.

c. 1430.  How Good Wife taught Dou., 43, in Hazl., E. P. P., I. 183. Be noght of many wordes.

1563.  Foxe, A. & M., 1438/1. Your diffinition is of many wordes to no purpose.

1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, I. i. 158. I thanke you, I am not of many words, but I thanke you.

1797.  Jane Austen, Sense & Sensib., xxxiv. She was not a woman of many words.

1854.  R. S. Surtees, Handley Cr., iii. (1901), I. 18 Augustus Barnington,… not being a man of many words, contented himself by stammering something about honour.

  **** with verb.

  27.  Make words. † a. To make few or many words: to speak briefly or at great length. Also to make but one word. Obs.

1530.  Palsgr., 843/1. To make fewe wordes, a brief dire.

a. 1634.  Chapman, Alphonsus, III. (1654), 38. Fall to thy business and make few words.

1677.  Miége, New Dict., To make many words about a small trifle, barguigner, contester pour une chose de neant.

1752.  Ainsworth, Engl.-Lat. Dict., s.v., I will make but one word with you … te absolvam brevi.

  b.  with neg.: (Not) to say anything (more) about a matter; (not) to speak or make mention of.

1576.  Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 67. To make no words of that which I have oftentimes read,… what harme can there be in death.

1579–80.  North, Plutarch (1595), 50. Lycurgus neuer bashed or made worde at the matter.

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 259. Those Chronicles of the English Saxons … reported only their owne fortunate battailes, and victories but never made words of their foiles & overthrowes.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VII. xiv. I will be so far from making any Words with you, that I will give you a Shilling more than your Demand.

1773.  Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., IV. Bring me your bill, and let’s make no more words about it.

1870.  Morris, Earthly Par., III. IV. 8. Then no more words the Strong Man made, but straight Caught up the elder in his arms.

  † c.  To make a proposal of. Obs.

1645.  Milton, Tetrach., 43. Herod … cast his eye … upon Herodias … and durst make words of marrying her.

  d.  To speak at (too) great length of. Sc.

1823.  Scott, Quentin D., xxxvi. You make words of nothing.

1825.  Jamieson, s.v., To make words, to talk more about anything than it deserves.

  28.  a. Take (up) the word: to begin speaking, esp. immediately after or instead of some one else.

  Partly after F. prendre la parole; partly from Gr. τὴν παραβολὴν ὑπολαβεῖν to take up one’s ‘parable’ (PARABLE sb. d).

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, ix. 204. The kinge Yon toke the worde & sayd [etc.].

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cccxliii. 219/1. Than the duke of Bretayne toke the wordes, & sayd [etc.].

1557.  N. T. (Genev.), Luke x. 30. Iesus taking his word said [etc.].

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, XI. 510. Then Drances took the word.

1808.  Scott, Marm., I. xxii. Young Selby … reverently took up the word: ‘Kind uncle, [etc.].’

1811.  Ora & Juliet, II. 192. Henry … was going to address Mrs. Brewster; but lady Harriet took the word.

1823.  Scott, Quentin D., xxxv. There was a general murmur. ‘My Lord Duke,’ said the Count of Crèvecœur, taking the word for the rest, ‘this must be better thought on.’

1884.  Howells, Silas Lapham, x. The Colonel, left alone with his wife…, made haste to take the word.

1887.  Morris, Odyssey, I. 32. The Father of Gods and of men … took up the word.

  b.  To take (a person’s) word: to accept (his) statement or assertion as true or trustworthy: usually with for, esp. in the phrase take my word for it used to emphasize an assertion = I can assure you, you may be sure, believe me. † Formerly also, to accept or trust (a person’s) promise; to give (him) credit (for a debt).

1587.  in W. M. Williams, Ann. Founders’ Co. (1867), 69. He givinge his fayth promyse to M^r Alderman … M^r Alderman tooke his worde.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. ii. 66. I take your Princely word, for these redresses.

1597.  E. S., Discov. Knts. Poste, A 4. Will you take my word for two pence? Take thy word? Ile see thee hangd first (qd she) pay me my money.

1628.  Shirley, Witty Fair One, I. i. B 4. Saue your credit and let swearing alone, I dare take your word.

1672.  Wycherley, Love in a Wood, IV. i. 62. But may I take your word Jonas?

1693.  Humours Town, 38. Take my word for’t.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 284, ¶ 4. Take my Word for it, there is nothing in it.

1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull, II. iii. Nobody will take our words for sixpence.

1771.  Smollett, Humphry Cl., 30 Sept. I took his word and honour that he would make an effort.

1864.  Whately, Chr. Evid., iii. 21. How can you know, except by taking the word of the learned for it?

1889.  J. K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat, 186. On a matter of this kind you can take Harris’s word.

  c.  To take (a person) at his word: see 13 c.

  IV.  29. attrib. and Comb. a. Simple attrib. Of, pertaining or relating to, or consisting of a word or words, as word-accent, -group, -history, -memory, -music, -order, -stock, -trap, -weapon; (with agent-n. or the like) dealing with or acting by means of words, as word-conjuror, -epicure, -juggler, -master, -pirate, -smith, -warrior, etc.; (with n. of action or the like, in instrumental sense) done or carried on by means of words, as word-battle, fence (FENCE sb. 2 b), -jugglery, -war, -wound, -wrangle, etc. b. Instrumental, as word-beat, -pity vbs.; word-charged, -clad, † -strooken, -wounded adjs. c. Objective, as word-bearer, -breaker, † -bridger (BRIDGE v.²), -hunter, -spinner, etc.; word-breaking, -building, -coining, -compelling, -juggling, -keeping, -spinning, -splitting, etc. sbs. and adjs.; also with pl., † words-speaking; word-coinage, -composition, -formation, etc. d. Special comb.: † word-bate [BATE sb.¹], contention about words; word-blind a. Path., affected with word-blindness, i.e., inability to understand written or printed words when seen, owing to disease of the visual word-centre; word-bound a., (a) restrained in speech, unable to use words freely or fluently; (b) bound by one’s word or promise; † word-braving, boasting; word-catcher, (a) one who catches or cavils at words, a petty or carping critic; (b) one who catches and collects words: applied contemptuously to a lexicographer (quot. 1835); word-catching, catching at words, petty criticism; word-centre Anat., each of certain centers (CENTRE sb. 7 a) in the brain that govern the perception and use of words (spoken or written); word-craft, the art of using words, oratorical or literary skill; word-deaf a. Path., affected with word-deafness, i.e., inability to understand words when heard, owing to disease of the auditory word-center; † word-dearthing a., producing dearth of words, involving a great expenditure of words; † word-flowing a., fluent in speech; word-hoard, literal rendering of OE. wordhord treasure of speech; word-paint v. trans., to ‘paint’ in words, describe vividly, make a word-picture of; so word-painter, word-painting sb. and a.; word-perfect a., knowing perfectly every word of one’s lesson, part, etc.; word-picture, a vivid description in words, presenting the object to the mind like a picture; word-play [cf. G. wortspiel], a play of or upon words (see PLAY sb. 7 b); word-shot nonce-wd. [after earshot], the distance within which one person can speak to another; word-spite, spite or ill-will expressed in words (in quot. attrib.); word square, a set of words of the same number of letters to be arranged in a square so as to read the same horizontally or vertically; a puzzle in which such a set of words has to be guessed (Webster, Suppl. 1880); word-strife, a rendering of LOGOMACHY; word-vision: see quot., and cf. word-blindness; † word-wood a. [WOOD a.], ‘mad,’ wild or unrestrained in speech. See also WORD-BOOK, etc.

1903.  Winbolt, Lat. Hexam. Verse, 75. The discrepancy in the first four feet between *word-accent and metrical stress.

a. 1640.  Jackson, Creed, X. xxxvii. 3155. *Word-Bates, or Verbal Quarrels, arising from ambiguous … expressions.

1853.  Kingsley, Hypatia, xxvii. Not unwilling, like a philosopher and a Greek,… to embark in anything like a *word-battle.

1846.  Trench, Mirac., xxxii. 442. The *word-bearer for the rest of the apostles proves also, when occasion requires, the sword-bearer.

1641.  J. Jackson, True Evang. T., III. 197. They revile, and *word-beate our persons.

1898.  H. C. Bastian, Aphasia, etc., 329. The patient … was neither word-deaf nor *word-blind.

1881.  J. Ross, in Lancet, 26 Nov., 905/1. This particular variety of amnesic aphasia has been named *‘word-blindness’ by Kussmaul.

1644.  W. Newport, Fall of Man, 23. Fora Christian to be absolutely *word-bound, to be tied so to anothers forme or his own, that he hath no liberty to vary in any expression, is a great bondage.

1714.  Spect., No. 560, ¶ 2. If I appear a little word-bound in my first … responses, I hope it will … be imputed … to the long disuse of speech.

1836.  Joanna Baillie, Separation, II. iii. Learn from him The story of the war. Word-bound he is not: He’ll tell it willingly.

1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. xvii. 195. A *word-braving, or scorning of all wealth in discourse.

1825.  Scott, Betrothed, iii. The promiser … escapes not the sin of a *word-breaker, because he hath been a drunken braggart. Ibid., vii. Better is an empty stomach … with a clear conscience, than a fatted ox with iniquity and *word-breaking.

a. 1400.  Wyclif’s Bible, Pref. Ep. vii. 72. Recapitulatour, *word bregger.

1862.  W. Barnes, Tiw, p. v. The known course of Teutonic *word-building.

1894.  (title) Word Building as a Guide to Spelling.

1735.  Pope, Prol. Sat., 166. Each *Word-catcher, that lives on syllables.

1835.  R. Garnett, Philol. Ess. (1859), 8. Of this sort of knowledge—the very foundation of all rational etymology—our word-catchers do not seem to have had the smallest tincture.

1837.  Lockhart, Scott, I. x. 330. This narrow-minded, sour, and dogmatical little word-catcher.

c. 1743.  Savage, Wks. (1775), II. 253 (Jod.). Is not *wordcatching more serviceable in splitting a cause than in explaining a fine poet?

1837.  Lockhart, Scott, IV. iv. 152. Sharp word-catchings,… and all the quips and quibblets of bar pleading.

1898.  H. C. Bastian, Aphasia, etc., 14. It is permissible to speak of these portions as auditory and visual *‘word centres’ respectively.

1879.  Spurgeon, Serm., XXV. 328. He sought truth, not controversy and *word-chopping.

1812.  W. Tennant, Anster Fair, VI. lxi. Sweet utterance of *word-clad breath.

1865.  Reader, 4 Feb., 133/1. Largely drawn upon by our modern *word-coinage, more especially by the nomenclature of science.

1920.  G. Crosse, in 19th Cent., March, 482. *Word-coining was then a common industry by no means confined to Shakespeare—or Bacon.

1887.  Rider Haggard, Allan Quatermain, ix. A time-serving and *word-coining politician.

1872.  Lowell, Dante, Prose Wks. 1890, IV. 139. The … *word-compelling Dante.

1904.  H. Bradley, Making of English, 127. The copious *word-composition of Greek has had great influence on the diction of English poetry.

1845.  Maurice, Mor. Philos., in Encycl. Metrop., II. 576/1. These … specimens of Greek subtlety … they would be inclined to denounce … as the exploits of a mere *word-conjuror.

a. 900.  Cynewulf, Elene, 592. He is … *wordcræftes wis.

1804.  J. Collins, Scripscrap., A 3. A Noviciate in the Science of Word-craft.

1894.  Athenæum, 22 Dec., 863/2. Herein Stevenson came in line with the French school of literary critics of life…. They … have been curious in their wordcraft.

1898.  H. C. Bastian, Aphasia, etc., 329. Such individuals though *word-deaf have nevertheless preserved their voluntary speech.

1886.  Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., II. 329/1. The so-called *word-deafness, in which the patient hears but does not understand words, though he reads them understandingly and repeats them perfectly.

1593.  Nashe, Christ’s T., Wks. (Grosart), IV. 102. Thys huge *word-dearthing taske.

1891.  Tablet, 29 Aug., 331. The science of *word-derivation is a growing one.

1862.  Merivale, Rom. Emp., lxvi. VII. 456. The vanity and frivolity of these masters of *word-fence.

1681.  R. L’Estrange, Tully’s Offices, 66. Crassus … was a *word-flowing Speaker.

1897.  Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, ii. 36. A perfect *word-fog of directions and advice.

1884.  Cust, in 13th Addr. Philol. Soc., 77. Bárea and Kunáma belong to the oldest phase of the Hamitic *Word-formation.

1884.  H. Sweet, ibid., 90. Concentrating his atention [sic] on the mere sounds of his *word-group.

1897.  E. Anwyl, Welsh Gram., § 19. The unit of connected speech is … the word-group: e.g. in English, ‘what-do-you-want?’

1876.  Whitney, Lang. Study, ii. 66. If English stood all alone among the other languages … but an insignificant part of its *word-history could be read.

1892.  Brooke, E. E. Lit., i. 1. Widsith told his tale, unlocked his *wordhoard.

1876.  A. S. Palmer (title), Leaves from a *Word-hunter’s Note-book.

1753.  Armstrong, Taste, 131. Those sacred groves where raptur’d spirits … in *word-hunting waste the live-long day.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 399. *Word-images as integral components of percepts and concepts.

1876.  Emerson, Lett. & Soc. Aims, Poet. & Imag., Wks. (Bohn), III. 160. Barbaric *word-jingle.

1901.  Month, Jan., 16. Archbishop Cranmer, the greatest *word-juggler of all time.

1847.  Lewes, Hist. Philos. (1867), I. ii. 14. The *word-jugglery of mysticism.

1855.  Milman, Lat. Christ., XIV. iii. (1864), IX. 143. Bewildered by his own skilful *word-juggling.

1876.  Mrs. Whitney, Sights & Insights, xxxiv. 320. Very faith, deeper than mere *word-keeping.

1866.  G. Stephens (title), The Old-Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England,… with … Runic Alphabets; Introductions; Appendices; *Wordlists, etc.

1855.  Kingsley, Glaucus, 69. What the long-*word-makers call an ‘interosculant’ group.

1876.  Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., lx. The order of *word-making.

1884.  H. Sweet, in 13th Addr. Philol. Soc., 89. This … makes the coloquial [sic] language a far better medium of teaching *word-meanings.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 394. Forms of *word memory.

1853.  Mrs. Gore, Dean’s Dau., xxiv. Do not give Miss Mordaunt reason to suppose me the only *word-mill in the family!

1898.  Sweet, New Engl. Gram., II. § 1772. The original Arian *word-order.

1894.  Mrs. Dyan, Man’s Keeping, vi. His mother … *word-painted a picture to him.

1906.  G. A. B. Dewar, Faery Year, 57. We can no more word-paint the water than we can the sunbeam.

1861.  Bentley’s Misc., XLIX. 169. Owen Meredith is another *word-painter, even luxuriant in power.

1866.  (title) *Word Paintings: in Series.

1892.  J. Tait, Mind in Matter (ed. 3), 296. Like a poem, a parable is a word-painting.

1882.  Archæologia Cantiana, XIV. 3. I wish that I had but … the descriptive power of a *word-painting historian.

1694.  Pepys, Lett., in Academy (1890), 9 Aug., 110/1. Your Specimen of Musick-Characters … must appeare Gracefull, when y^e *Word-Part shall bee added.

1673.  Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 255. You are … a meer *Word-pecker.

a. 1700.  B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Word-pecker, one that play’s with Words.

1894.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Red Coats, 104. Daddy Longlegs had gone over, with care and loving attention, every little trifling detail of this interview, until he might fairly have been described as *‘word-perfect.’

1858–61.  J. Brown, Horæ Subs. (1863), 284. Such *word-pictures as you find in Dante.

1603.  Dekker, Wonderful Year, To Rdr. Banish these *Word-pirates, (you sacred mistresses of learning) into the gulfe of Barbarisme.

1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., I. iii. 8. Not so much *word-pitying her, as providing necessaries for her.

1896.  J. Rendel Harris, Hermas in Arcadia, 74. The only thing left to determine is what the *word-play consists in.

1911.  H. M. R. Murray, Erthe upon Erthe, Introd. p. xxix. Word-plays of the kind found here upon the word erthe are certainly not common in Latin verse of the time.

1657.  J. Watts, Scribe, Pharisee, etc., I. 123. You cannot bring us of, from the *word-preaching.

1736.  Gentl. Mag., VI. 353/2. Dame Law … call’d over her *Word-selling Crew.

1872.  Yng. Gentleman’s Mag., 212. Little *word-sketches of those absurd scenes.

1896.  Literary World, 19 June, 571/2. Stevenson, the soaring child of genius and the plodding *word-smith.

1582.  N. T. (Rhem.), Acts xvii. 18. What is it that this *wordsower would say?

1887.  W. Morris, in Mackail, Life (1899), II. 187. I am an inveterate *word-spinner.

1872.  Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., III. Pref. p. v. Huge folios, full of dreary *wordspinning.

1857.  Sir F. Palgrave, Norm. & Eng., II. 561. A silly, yet ferocious, *wordspite quarrel between Otho and Hugh-le-Grand.

1861.  J. Tulloch, Engl. Purit., iv. 436. He had too large a soul to take delight in mere *word-splitting.

1890.  Little Folks, Jan., 68. Geographical *Word Square.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 5451. They maken foolis glorifie Of her *wordis spekyng.

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 511. Þerfor is it not gretelie to charge of wurdis-spekyng and a man do wele.

1926.  Friedrichsen, Gothic Vers. Gospels, 23. By skilfully grafting the vigorous scions of his own speech on to the exotic *word-stock underlying his translation.

1863.  W. Barnes, Dorset Gloss., 9. Searching the *word-stores of the provincial speech-forms of English.

a. 1670.  Hacket, Abp. Williams, II. (1693), 107. The end of this λογομαχία, or *Word-strife.

1850.  T. A. Trollope, Impress. Wand., iv. 56. The emasculated tribe of *word-stringers.

1622.  Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., I. 263. Whilest he was hearing this sad storie … being so *word-strooken to the heart.

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 307. With a wily *word-trap, hee deceiued the Archbishop.

1820.  T. Mitchell, Com. Aristoph., I. 92. With silent glee his word-traps he lays deftly.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 313. Visual ideation, more particularly in reference to the association of written symbols with their meaning—that is *word-vision—is specially impaired by lesion of the left angular gyrus.

1647.  Trapp, Comm. Jas. ii. 14 (1656), 906. Livy telleth us of the Athenians, that they waged *Word-war against Philip.

1862.  Merivale, Rom. Emp., lxvi. VII. 460. The word-war of the dogmatists.

1856.  R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. 123. He regarded with dislike the idle *word-warfare of scholastic ingenuity.

1600.  Nashe, Summers Last Will, 1447. Those *word-warriers … Had their heads fild with coosning fantasies.

1866.  Liddon, Bampton Lect., i. (1867), 17. Professional word-warriors of the fourth and fifth centuries.

a. 1555.  Ridley, Cert. Godly Confer. (1556), 34 b. Truste not … to these *worde weapons, for the kingdome of godde is not in wordes, but in power.

1849.  Lytton, Caxtons, VIII. iii. (1874), 199. Trevanion was a terrible *word-weigher.

a. 1250.  Prov. Alfred, 281, in O. E. Misc., 118. Wymmon is *word-woþ [v.r. word-wod].

1902.  F. E. Hulme, Proverb Lore, 114. Sword-wounds may be healed, *word-wounds are beyond healing.

1810.  Crabbe, Borough, iv. 523. When the preacher … Dropp’d the new word,… we heard the cry Of the *word-wounded.

1643.  Herle, Answ. Ferne, 11. Indisposed to this kind of *word wrangle.

1914.  D. Crawford, Thirsting After God, III. i. 152. Mere windy *word-wrangling.

1571.  Golding, Calvin on Ps. xii. 3. This dubblehartednesse … maketh men dubbletunged & *woordwesters.