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an speech or language; a constituent part of a sentence; a term; a vocable. "A glutton of words." Piers Plowman. You cram these words into mine ears, against The stomach of my sense. Shak. Amongst men who confound their ideas with words, there must be endless disputes. Locke.

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 the alphabet and sentence methods.

One who cavils at words.

A collection of words; a vocabulary; a dictionary; a lexicon.

A speaker. [Obs.] Withlock.

In a wordy manner.

The quality or state of being wordy, or abounding with words; verboseness. Jeffrey.

The act or manner of expressing in words; style of expression; phrasing. It is believed this wording was above his known style. Milton.

Respecting words; full of words; wordy. [R.] Sir P. Sidney. -- Word"ish*ness, n. The truth they hide by their dark woordishness. Sir K. Digby.

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

Not using words; not speaking; silent; speechless. Shak.

A more or less subtle playing upon the meaning of words.

One who deals in words, or in mere words; a verbalist. [R.] "Some speculative wordsman." H. Bushnell.

Of or pertaining to words; consisting of words; verbal; as, a wordy war. Cowper.

A sword with one sharp edge.

A sword with a broad blade and a cutting edge; a claymore. I heard the broadsword's deadly clang. Sir W. Scott.

g; a proverb; a saying that has a general currency. I knew a wise man that had it for a byword. Bacon.

Among theatrical performers, the last word of the preceding speaker, which reminds one that he is to speak next; cue.

A preface. Furnvall.

Half the length of a sword; close fight. "At half-sword." Shak.