byword

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(-wʉrd′)

noun

  1. a familiar saying; proverb
  2. a person or thing proverbial for some quality
  3. an object of scorn or ridicule
  4. a favorite or pet word or phrase

Origin: ME & OE biword < bi (see by) + word: formed after L proverbium (pro + verbum), proverb

See byword in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also by-word

noun
  1. a. A proverbial expression; a proverb.
    b. An often-used word or phrase.
  2. One that represents a type, class, or quality: “Polyester got its déclassé reputation in the 1970s after cheap, poorly made double-knit leisure suits became a byword for bad taste” (Fortune).
  3. An object of notoriety or interest: The eccentric poet was a byword in literary circles.
  4. An epithet.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English byworde

Origin: , from Old English bīword

Origin: , translation of Latin prōverbium

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© 1996-2013 LoveToKnow, Corp. All Rights Reserved. Audio pronunciation provided by LoveToKnow, Corp.