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book word. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
book word, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
book word in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
book word you have here. The definition of the word
book word will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
book word, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From book + word.
Noun
book word (plural book words)
- (linguistics) A word that is encountered in writing but not usually in speech, which people may therefore not know how to pronounce (correctly).
1871, Alexander John Ellis, On Early English Pronunciation, with Especial Reference to Shakspere ...:The second, being a ‘book word,’ has quite an artificial pronunciation.
2014, Dale F. Coye, Pronouncing Shakespeare's Words: A Guide from A to Zounds, →ISBN, page 7:Book words—words that are found most often in writing but are rarely spoken—change as well but in a somewhat different way. When the communal memory of a word's pronunciation has been lost, or when speakers who have never heard a book word pronounced attempt it, then spelling will play a key role in determining the new pronunciation.
- (linguistics) A word that is borrowed into a vernacular from a closely related literary language, thus being etymologically related to native vocabulary, but not showing regular sound changes.
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