2. In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called singlestick. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

I heard the broadsword's deadly clang. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

I knew a wise man that had it for a byword. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The object of a contemptuous saying. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou makest us a byword among the heathen. Ps. xliv. 14 [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Print.) The first word of any page of a book after the first, inserted at the right hand bottom corner of the preceding page for the assistance of the reader. It is seldom used in modern printing. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A word or phrase caught up and repeated for effect; as, the catchword of a political party, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a word placed at the beginning of a line, paragraph, or short article (as in a dictionary or encyclopedia entry); the word which forms the title of an entry in a dictionary. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

☞ In different languages, different wordforms, such as cases for verbs, may be taken as the main entry word. In English dictionaries, it is the infinitive form, but in latin dictionaries it is usually the first person singular present. [ PJC ]

2. To alter the wording of; to restate in other words; as, to reword an idea or a passage. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ the ruler ] beareth not the sword in vain. Rom. xiii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

She quits the balance, and resigns the sword. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension. [ 1913 Webster ]

I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matt. x. 34. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The military power of a country. [ 1913 Webster ]

He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sword arm, the right arm. --
Sword bayonet, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and which can be used as a sword. --
Sword bearer, one who carries his master's sword; an officer in London who carries a sword before the lord mayor when he goes abroad. --
Sword belt, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne at the side. --
Sword blade, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword. --
Sword cane, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or dagger, as in a sheath. --
Sword dance. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together by the male dancers. Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but without touching them. --
Sword fight, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with swords; swordplay. --
Sword grass. (Bot.) See Gladen. --
Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword. --
Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence. Milton. --
Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus. --
Sword mat (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so called from a wooden implement used in its manufacture. --
Sword shrimp (Zool.), a European shrimp (Pasiphaea sivado) having a very thin, compressed body. --
Sword stick, a sword cane. --
To measure swords with one. See under Measure, v. t. --
To put to the sword. See under Put. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) A southern constellation. See Dorado, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Swordfish sucker (Zool.), a remora (Remora brachyptera) which attaches itself to the swordfish. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One skilled of a use of the sword; a professor of the science of fencing; a fencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sentiment or motto; esp., one used as a rallying cry or a signal for action. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor deal in watchwords overmuch. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The spoken sign of a conception or an idea; an articulate or vocal sound, or a combination of articulate and vocal sounds, uttered by the human voice, and by custom expressing an idea or ideas; a single component part of human speech or language; a constituent part of a sentence; a term; a vocable. “A glutton of words.” Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster]

You cram these words into mine ears, against
The stomach of my sense. Shak. [1913 Webster]

Amongst men who confound their ideas with words, there must be endless disputes. Locke. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, the written or printed character, or combination of characters, expressing such a term; as, the words on a page. [1913 Webster]

3. pl. Talk; discourse; speech; language. [1913 Webster]

Why should calamity be full of words? Shak. [1913 Webster]

Be thy words severe;
Sharp as he merits, but the sword forbear. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Account; tidings; message; communication; information; -- used only in the singular. [1913 Webster]

I pray you . . . bring me word thither
How the world goes. Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. Signal; order; command; direction. [1913 Webster]

Give the word through. Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. Language considered as implying the faith or authority of the person who utters it; statement; affirmation; declaration; promise. [1913 Webster]

Obey thy parents; keep thy word justly. Shak. [1913 Webster]

I know you brave, and take you at your word. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

I desire not the reader should take my word. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

7. pl. Verbal contention; dispute. [1913 Webster]

Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me. Shak. [1913 Webster]

8. A brief remark or observation; an expression; a phrase, clause, or short sentence. [1913 Webster]

All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Gal. v. 14. [1913 Webster]

She said; but at the happy word “he lives,”
My father stooped, re-fathered, o'er my wound. Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

There is only one other point on which I offer a word of remark. Dickens. [1913 Webster]

By word of mouth, orally; by actual speaking. Boyle. --
Compound word. See under Compound, a. --
Good word, commendation; favorable account. “And gave the harmless fellow a good word.” Pope. --
In a word, briefly; to sum up. --
In word, in declaration; in profession. “Let us not love in word, . . . but in deed and in truth.” 1 John iii. 8. --
Nuns of the Word Incarnate (R. C. Ch.), an order of nuns founded in France in 1625, and approved in 1638. The order, which also exists in the United States, was instituted for the purpose of doing honor to the “Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.” --
The word, or
The Word. (Theol.) (a) The gospel message; esp., the Scriptures, as a revelation of God. “Bold to speak the word without fear.” Phil. i. 14. (b) The second person in the Trinity before his manifestation in time by the incarnation; among those who reject a Trinity of persons, some one or all of the divine attributes personified. John i. 1. --
To eat one's words, to retract what has been said. --
To have the words for, to speak for; to act as spokesman. [Obs.] “Our host hadde the wordes for us all.” Chaucer. --
Word blindness (Physiol.), inability to understand printed or written words or symbols, although the person affected may be able to see quite well, speak fluently, and write correctly. Landois & Stirling. --
Word deafness (Physiol.), inability to understand spoken words, though the person affected may hear them and other sounds, and hence is not deaf. --
Word dumbness (Physiol.), inability to express ideas in verbal language, though the power of speech is unimpaired. --
Word for word, in the exact words; verbatim; literally; exactly; as, to repeat anything word for word. --
Word painting, the act of describing an object fully and vividly by words only, so as to present it clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. --
Word picture, an accurate and vivid description, which presents an object clearly to the mind, as if in a picture. --
Word square, a series of words so arranged that they can be read vertically and horizontally with like results. [1913 Webster]

 H E A R T
 E M B E R
 A B U S E
 R E S I N
 T R E N T
 
 (A word square)
 

Syn. -- See Term. [1913 Webster]

1. To express in words; to phrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

The apology for the king is the same, but worded with greater deference to that great prince. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To ply with words; also, to cause to be by the use of a word or words. [ Obs. ] Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To flatter with words; to cajole. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To word it, to bandy words; to dispute. [ Obs. ] “To word it with a shrew.” L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is believed this wording was above his known style. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The truth they hide by their dark woordishness. Sir K. Digby. [1913 Webster]