Definition of "language" in 英语

noun

1. (countable) A body of words, and set of methods of combining them (called a grammar), understood by a community and used as a form of communication.

   • The English and German languages are both members of the West Germanic language family.
   • Deaf and mute people communicate using sign language.

2. (uncountable) The ability to communicate using words.

   • the gift of language

3. (uncountable) A sublanguage: the slang of a particular community or jargon of a particular specialist field.

   • legal language; the language of chemistry

4. (countable, uncountable, figurative) The expression of thought (the communication of meaning) in a specified way; that which communicates something, as language does.

   • body language; the language of the eyes

5. (countable, uncountable) A body of sounds, signs or signals by which animals communicate, and by which plants are sometimes also thought to communicate.

6. (computing, countable) A computer language; a machine language.

7. (uncountable) A manner of expression.

8. (uncountable) The particular words used in a speech or a passage of text.

   • The language used in the law does not permit any other interpretation.
   • The language he used to talk to me was obscene.

9. (euphemistic, uncountable) Profanity.

verb

1. (rare, now nonstandard or technical) To communicate by language; to express in language.

interjection

1. An admonishment said in response to vulgar language.

   • You're a pile of shit! Hey! Language!

noun

1. A languet, a flat plate in or below the flue pipe of an organ.