Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WORD, n. [Sax. word or wyrd; G. wort; D. woord; Dan. and Sw. ord; Sans. wartha. This word is probably the participle of a root in Br, and radically the same as L. verbum; Ir. abairim, to speak. A word is that which is uttered or thrown out.]

1. An articulate or vocal sound, or a combination of articulate and vocal sounds, uttered by the human voice, and by a custom expressing an idea or ideas; a single component part of human speech or language. Thus a in English is in a word; but few words consist of one letter only. Most words consist of two or more letters, as go, do, shall, called monosyllables, or of two or more syllables, as honor, goodness, amiable.
2. The letter or letters, written or printed, which represent a sound or combination of sounds.
3. A short discourse. Shall I vouchsafe your worship a word or two? – Shak.
4. Talk; discourse. Why should calamity be full of words? – Shak. Be thy words severe. – Dryden.
5. Dispute; verbal contention; as, some words grew between us.
6. Language; living speech; oral expression. The message was delivered by word of mouth.
7. Promise. He gave me his word he would pay me. Obey thy parents; keep thy word justly. – Shak.
8. Signal; order; command. Give the word through. – Shak.
9. Account; tidings; message. Bring me word what is the issue of the contest.
10. Declaration; purpose expressed. I know you brave, and take you at your word. – Dryden.
11. Declaration; affirmation. I desire not the reader should take my word. – Dryden.
12. The scripture; divine revelation, or any part of it. This is called the word of God.
13. Christ. – John i.
14. A motto; a short sentence; a proverb. – Spenser. A good word, commendation; favorable account. And gave the harmless fellow a good word. – Pope. In word, in declaration only. Let us not love in word only, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John iii.