language
n
1 [U] system of sounds, words, patterns, etc used by humans to communicate thoughts and feelings 語言
the origins of language 語言的起源
[attrib 作定語]
the development of language skills in young children 兒童語言技能的形成.
2 [C] form of language used by a particular group, nation, etc (集團, 國家等的)集團語, 地方語, 部落語, 某國語
the Bantu group of languages 班圖語系
one's native language 母語
a second, a foreign, an acquired language 第二語言、 外國語言、 後天學得的語言.
3 [U] manner of expressing oneself 表達方式
His language was uncompromising
he told them their work must improve or they would be fired. 他的話說一不二; 他告欣他們必須改進工作, 否則就予解雇.
bad/strong/foul language, ie words considered improper, eg those marked in this dictionary 壞話, 罵人話, 下流話(粗鄙的詞語, 如在本詞典中標示者
everyday language, ie not specialized or technical 普通語言(非專門或技術用語).
4 [U] words, phrases, etc used by a particular group of people 術語; 行話
the language of science, drug users, the courtroom 科學術語、 嗜毒者切口、 法庭用語
medical language 醫學用語.
5 [C, U] system of signs, symbols, gestures, etc used for conveying information 傳達信息的手勢、 符號、 姿勢等
Music has been called the universal language. 人們稱音樂為世界的語言.
the language of flowers 用花表達的信息
body, sign language 身勢語、 手勢語
This theory can only be expressed in mathematical language. 這個理論只能用數學語言來表達.
6 [C, U] (computing 計) system of coded instructions used in programming 語言
BASIC is the language most programmers learn first. BASIC是大多數程序編制者首先學習的語言.
7 (idm 習語) speak the same language => speak.