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An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
Notes Works cited References External links 0-9 S.S. Kresge Lunch Counter and Soda Fountain, about 1920 86 Main article: 86 1. Soda-counter term meaning an item was no longer available 2. "Eighty-six" means to discard, eliminate, or deny service A A-1 First class abe's cabe 1. Five dollar bill 2. See fin, a fiver, half a sawbuck absent treatment Engaging in dance with a cautious partner ab-so ...
It is a sister site to The Free Dictionary and usage examples in the form of "references in classic literature" taken from the site's collection are used on The Free Dictionary 's definition pages. In addition, double-clicking on a word in the site's collection of reference materials brings up the word's definition on The Free Dictionary.
polygraph (U.S. government, as in "full scope poly") [49] polymer [50] Polynesian polytechnic [51] po-mo post-modern [52] pop popular (informal) [53] popular music porn or porno pornography (slang) [54] postgrad postgraduate pram perambulator, a baby carriage prefs preferences preg pregnant prelim preliminary (examination) prep preparatory pres ...
A proverbial phrase or expression is a type of conventional saying similar to a proverb and transmitted by oral tradition. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context. [1] [2] In 1768, John Ray defined a proverbial phrase as:
The 18th edition of the dictionary, published in 2009. Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, sometimes referred to simply as Brewer's, is a reference work containing definitions and explanations of many famous phrases, allusions, and figures, whether historical or mythical.
For example, in 2005, The New York Times published an article titled "Hospital Staff Cutback Blamed for Test Result Snafu". [8] The attribution of SNAFU to the American military is not universally accepted: it has also been attributed to the British, [9] although the Oxford English Dictionary gives its origin and first recorded use as the U.S ...
The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDOCE), first published by Longman in 1978, [1] is an advanced learner's dictionary, providing definitions using a restricted vocabulary, helping non-native English speakers understand meanings easily. It is available in four configurations: