language */*/*/

language */*/*/
UK [ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ] / US noun
Word forms "language":
singular language plural languages
Metaphor:
Language and words are like food, and the emotions that words express are like flavours. It took me a long time to digest the news. ♦ The technical name for it is a bit of a mouthful ♦ We were chewing over what they had told us. ♦ He spat the words out. ♦ It's a rather indigestible book. ♦ The unpalatable truth is that too many schools are still failing their students. ♦ He spoke bitterly about his family. ♦ They made some very acid remarks. ♦ Lou said sourly that she hadn't wanted to go anyway. ♦ Inside the card was a sickly/sugary poem. ♦ She swore she'd make them eat their words. ♦ We sat and chewed the fat all evening. Language and speech are like animal noises, especially when people are expressing particular attitudes or emotions. He barked out a series of orders. ♦ "I've so enjoyed our little chat," she purred. ♦ They were bleating about how unfair it all was. ♦ Ben grunted his agreement. ♦ The other team were crowing about their victory. ♦ "Get out of my way!" he snarled. ♦ "What's wrong now?" he bellowed. ♦ They all hooted with laughter. ♦ "I knew this would happen," she cackled. ♦ He was braying about his latest successful sale. ➡ argument, communicate, conversation, criticize
1)
a) [uncountable] the method of human communication using spoken or written words

Linguistics is the study of language and how people use it.

language skills:

They have no money, no home, no food, and no language skills.

b) the style or types of words used by a person or group

slightly formal language

He was shocked at how crude their language was.

bad/foul language (= language that might offend people):

My kids have started using the foul language they hear on television.

ordinary/plain language:

In ordinary language, "larceny" means "stealing" or "theft".

spoken language:

a comparison between spoken and written language

strong language (= swearing):

Mrs Beeson did not normally use strong language, and certainly not in public.

2) [countable] the particular form of words and speech that is used by the people of a country, area, or social group

There is a legacy of African languages in many parts of the Caribbean.

English and French are the official languages of Canada.

speak a language:

An announcer spoke a language Richard had never heard before.

3)
a) [countable/uncountable] signs, symbols, sounds, and other methods of communicating information, feelings, or ideas

the language of dance

the language of mathematics

b) computing a system of instructions used to program a computer

Which computer languages do you know?

•

mind/watch your language — to make sure that you use words that will not offend people

"Just you watch your language," snarled Swain.

speak/talk the same language — to have the same ideas and attitudes as someone else

We have to be sure we're speaking the same language.

See:

English dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Language — Lan guage, n. [OE. langage, F. langage, fr. L. lingua the tongue, hence speech, language; akin to E. tongue. See {Tongue}, cf. {Lingual}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Any means of conveying or communicating ideas; specifically, human speech; the expression …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • language — [laŋ′gwij] n. [ME < OFr langage < langue, tongue < L lingua, tongue, language, altered (by assoc. with lingere, to lick) < OL dingua < IE * dṇg̑hwa > OE tunge, TONGUE] 1. a) human speech b) Archaic the ability to communicate by… …   English World dictionary

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  • Language — Lan guage, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Languaged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Languaging}.] To communicate by language; to express in language. [1913 Webster] Others were languaged in such doubtful expressions that they have a double sense. Fuller. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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