linguistics

[ ling-gwis-tiks ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. the science of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and historical linguistics.

linguistics

/ lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks /

noun

1. functioning as singular the scientific study of language See also historical linguistics descriptive linguistics

Word History and Origins

Origin of linguistics¹

First recorded in 1850–55; linguistic, -ics

Example Sentences

The experiment, the researchers note, is the result of interdisciplinary research bridging psychology and linguistics -- in this case, mobilizing the linguistics concept of focus to address an issue of interest in both fields.

From Science Daily

But Clark said students should be aware of the great variance among majors — the transfer admission rate for computer science is 5%, for instance, compared with 60%-plus for history, linguistics and philosophy.

From Los Angeles Times

One 2009 linguistics study timed these differences - showing that, on average, Japanese speakers took seven milliseconds to respond while Danish speakers took about 470 milliseconds to intervene.

From BBC

Dr Ellie Rye, who is a lecturer in English language and linguistics at the University of York, said apostrophes were a relatively new invention in our writing.

From BBC

Its sole director was a former linguistics teacher.

From BBC

Related Words

• alphabet
• syntax