idiom

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.3.5 See also 1.3.6 External links

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Late Latin idioma < Ancient Greek ιδίωμα (idioma), “‘a peculiarity, property, a peculiar phraseology, idiom’”) < ιδιοῦσθαι (idiousthai), “‘to make one's own, appropriate to oneself’”) < ἴδιος (idios), “‘one's own, pertaining to oneself, private, personal, peculiar, separate’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈɪd.i.əm/, SAMPA: /"id.i.@m/

   Audio (GB)^{help, file}

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

idiom (plural idioms)

1. A manner of speaking, a way of expressing oneself.
2. An artistic style (for example, in art, architecture, or music); an instance of such a style.
3. (linguistics) A locution peculiar of a particular language, that cannot be understood by way of a literal translation.

   eg. You can't translate "kick the bucket" verbatim into French with the same meaning because it's an idiom.

   eg. The italian locution "a capofitto" literally means with the head down, and logically means headlong

4. (linguistics) A communicative system under study, which could be called either a dialect or a language, when its status as a language or dialect is irrelevant.
5. (programming) A programming technique which experienced programmers in a language are assumed to know.
   • 2005, Magnus Lie Hetland, Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional, ISBN 159059519X, page 100:

     I have to use the same assignment and call to raw_input in two places. How can I avoid that? I can use the while True/break idiom: […]

[edit] Synonyms

• (phrase): expression (loosely), form of words (loosely), phrase (loosely)

[edit] Derived terms

• idiomatic
• idiomatical
• idiomatically

[edit] Related terms

• idiosyncratic
• idiot

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

Here is an editors' pick of popular and picturesque idioms in the English language.

Wikipedia

Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

[edit] External links

• American idioms - a comprehensive list of idioms, browsable through alphabetical links. Includes parts of speech, definitions and example sentences.
• English and American Idioms - RSS subscription channel
• idiom in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• idiom in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911