(This is reposted from The Dictionary Help page)
Can’t understand some parts of the dictionary? Fear no more!
What do these things mean?
n. – noun. Usually definitions starting with “a,” “an” or “the” except for “the state of being.” Used to name a person, place, thing, or idea.
v. – verb. Usually definitions starting with “to” except for “to be.” A word or combination of words that expresses an action or says something about the existence or condition of a noun or pronoun.
adj. – adjective. Usually definitions starting with “to be” or “the state of being.” A word that modifies a noun or pronoun. Modify means to limit, qualify, or make partial changes.
adv. – adverb. Usually starts with “the state of” with a verb and the description of that action. A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another verb (when, where, how, how often, to what extent). Many adverbs en in -ly.
Contraction. – a shortened word
Acronym. – the first letters of a bunch of words or phrase
Interjection. – a word that you would use to say something out loud, like “damn” or “fuck.” A word or phrase used to express pain, surprise, anger, pleasure, or some other emotions. Stands apart from other words in sentences.
Klingon. – a word from the Klingon language
Location. – a location
Phrase. – a phrase that has more than 1 word in it
Ebonics. – a word or series of words used in Ebonics
Preposition. – a word like “a.” A word that shows a relation between the word following it and some other word or group of words in a sentence.
Conjunction. – a word that combines two parts of a sentence, such as “but,” “and,” and “yet”
Pronoun. – a word that replaces another noun. Such as he, she, it. It stands for or takes place of a noun and functions in most ways as a noun.
?. – we don’t know what kind of word it is
Ex. – example
;} – separates one definition from another definition for the same word. Similar to the numbering system used in actual dictionaries. The reason we don’t use numbers in our definitions is because we use numbers sometimes to define a certain word, and will thus complicate the definition. Another reason is because the dictionary is always adding definitions to existing words.
“<see (something)>” ?
to understand the word more fully, you should look at that word or link to another part of Squackle! that has been provided for you within the < >s
What other things should I know about these words?
- If you use these words enough in everyday speech, and tell other people about this dictionary and to use the words in it, then one day the words might be put into a real dictionary, as it will become a part of everyday speech.
- You should know that these words are not going to look good on any school, job or government related purpose (until of course they are put into a real dictionary) including, but not limited to
- tax forms
- probation requests
- business reports
- graphs on projected business growth
- anything but informal speech/writing
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