vernacular

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Noun 1.2.1 Antonyms 1.2.2 Translations 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 External links

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

From Latin vernaculus (“‘native, domestic, indigenous, of or pertaining to home-born slaves’”) < verna (“‘a native, a home-born slave (one born in his master's house)’”).

[edit] Noun

vernacular (plural vernaculars)

1. The language of a people, a national language.

   The vernacular of the United States is English.

2. Everyday speech, including colloquialisms, as opposed to literary or liturgical language.

   Street vernacular can be quite different from what is heard elsewhere.

3. Language unique to a particular group of people; jargon, argot, slang.

   For those of a certain age, hiphop vernacular might just as well be a foreign language.

4. (Christianity) The indigenous language of a people, into which the words of the Roman Catholic mass are translated.

   Vatican II allowed the celebration of the mass in the vernacular.

[edit] Antonyms

• (national language): lingua franca

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adjective

vernacular (comparative more vernacular, superlative most vernacular)

1. Of or pertaining to everyday language.

[edit] Synonyms

• common
• everyday
• indigenous
• ordinary
• vulgar

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• vernacular in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• vernacular in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• vernacular at OneLook® Dictionary Search