Word of the Day 10.20.9
locution
lo·cu·tion (l
-ky
sh
n)
n.
1. A particular word, phrase, or expression, especially one that is used by a particular person or group.
2. Style of speaking; phraseology.
[Middle English locucion, from Old French locution, from Latin loc
ti, loctin-, from loctus, past participle of loqu
, to speak; see tolkw- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Noun |
1. | locution – a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations; “pardon the expression”
Beatitude – one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus’ (blessed); “her favorite Beatitude is `Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth’”
logion – a saying of Jesus that is regarded as authentic although it is not recorded in the Gospels
calque, calque formation, loan translation – an expression introduced into one language by translating it from another language; “`superman’ is a calque for the German `Ubermensch’”
advice and consent – a legal expression in the United States Constitution that allows the Senate to constrain the President’s powers of appointment and treaty-making
ambiguity – an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
euphemism – an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
dysphemism – an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one; “his favorite dysphemism was to ask for axle grease when he wanted butter”
shucks – an expression of disappointment or irritation
speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication, oral communication, speech, language – (language) communication by word of mouth; “his speech was garbled”; “he uttered harsh language”; “he recorded the spoken language of the streets”
tongue twister – an expression that is difficult to articulate clearly; “`rubber baby buggy bumper’ is a tongue twister”
anatomical, anatomical reference – an expression that relates to anatomy
southernism – a locution or pronunciation peculiar to the southern United States
adage, byword, proverb, saw – a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
idiomatic expression, phrasal idiom, set phrase, phrase, idiom – an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
agrapha – sayings of Jesus not recorded in the canonical Gospels
sumpsimus – a correct expression that takes the place of a popular but incorrect expression; “he preferred his erroneous but pleasing mumpsimus to the correct sumpsimus”
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Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
