English noun: language | |||
1. | language (communication) a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols | ||
Samples | He taught foreign languages. The language introduced is standard throughout the text. The speed with which a program can be executed depends on the language in which it is written. | ||
Synonyms | linguistic communication | ||
Broader (hypernym) | communication | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | artificial language, barrage, bombardment, dead language, indigenous language, interlanguage, koine, lingua franca, linguistic string, metalanguage, native language, natural language, object language, onslaught, outpouring, sign language, signing, slanguage, source language, string of words, superstrate, superstratum, target language, tongue, usage, word string, words | ||
Domain category members | accent, accent mark, alphabetize, crystal clear, diachronic, expressive style, historical, language, limpid, lucid, luculent, oral communication, pellucid, perspicuous, speech, speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, style, synchronic, uncorrupted, undefiled, voice communication, well-turned | ||
2. | language (communication) (language) communication by word of mouth | ||
Samples | His speech was garbled. He uttered harsh language. He recorded the spoken language of the streets. | ||
Synonyms | oral communication, speech, speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication | ||
Broader (hypernym) | auditory communication | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | charm, conversation, dictation, discussion, expression, give-and-take, idiolect, locution, magic spell, magical spell, monologue, monologue, non-standard speech, orthoepy, pronunciation, saying, soliloquy, spell, word, words | ||
Domain category | language, linguistic communication | ||
3. | language (communication) the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number | ||
Samples | His compositions always started with the lyrics. He wrote both words and music. The song uses colloquial language. | ||
Synonyms | lyric, words | ||
Broader (hypernym) | text, textual matter | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | love lyric | ||
Part meronym | song, vocal | ||
4. | language (cognition) the cognitive processes involved in producing and understanding linguistic communication | ||
Samples | He didn't have the language to express his feelings. | ||
Synonyms | linguistic process | ||
Broader (hypernym) | higher cognitive process | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | reading | ||
5. | language (cognition) the mental faculty or power of vocal communication | ||
Samples | Language sets homo sapiens apart from all other animals. | ||
Synonyms | speech | ||
Broader (hypernym) | faculty, mental faculty, module | ||
Part holonym | lexicon, lexis, mental lexicon, vocabulary | ||
Domain category members | verbalise, verbalize | ||
6. | language (communication) a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline | ||
Samples | Legal terminology. Biological nomenclature. The language of sociology. | ||
Synonyms | nomenclature, terminology | ||
Broader (hypernym) | word | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | markup language, toponomy, toponymy | ||