deverbary
A specialized dictionary or index of idioms, proverbs, and phrases centered specifically around verbs or derived from verbal roots. It is primarily used in linguistic research and lexicography to categorize and study phraseological expressions.
Examples
3 of 5To improve my writing, I often consult a deverbary to find more expressive verbal idioms.
To improve my writing, I often consult a dictionary of verbal idioms to find more expressive verbal phrases.
The scholar spent decades compiling a comprehensive deverbary of Medieval Latin phrases.
The scholar spent decades compiling a comprehensive collection of verbal idioms in Medieval Latin.
I found this old deverbary in the attic; it has some really strange old-fashioned sayings.
I found this old book of verb-based sayings in the attic; it has some very unusual historical expressions.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of it as a 'Library' (suffix -ary) for 'Verbs' (verb). A de-VERB-ary is where verbs and their idiomatic families live.
Quick Quiz
The researcher consulted the ________ to find all known idioms related to the verb 'to break' in the 17th century.
Correct!
The correct answer is: deverbary
Examples
To improve my writing, I often consult a deverbary to find more expressive verbal idioms.
everydayTo improve my writing, I often consult a dictionary of verbal idioms to find more expressive verbal phrases.
The scholar spent decades compiling a comprehensive deverbary of Medieval Latin phrases.
formalThe scholar spent decades compiling a comprehensive collection of verbal idioms in Medieval Latin.
I found this old deverbary in the attic; it has some really strange old-fashioned sayings.
informalI found this old book of verb-based sayings in the attic; it has some very unusual historical expressions.
The deverbary serves as a vital tool for analyzing the evolution of idiomatic structures in Slavic languages.
academicThe index of verbal idioms is an essential tool for studying how idiomatic structures changed over time in Slavic languages.
Our copywriters used a deverbary to brainstorm action-oriented slogans for the new campaign.
businessOur copywriters used a collection of verbal phrases to think of action-based slogans for the new marketing campaign.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
alphabetical deverbary
a deverbary organized by the first letter of the root verb
thematic deverbary
a collection of verbal idioms grouped by topic
cross-linguistic deverbary
a deverbary that maps verbal idioms between multiple languages
Often Confused With
A 'deverbal' is an individual word derived from a verb (like 'building' from 'build'), whereas a 'deverbary' is the collection or dictionary of such items.
A dictionary is a general collection of words; a deverbary is specifically focused on verbal-based idiomatic expressions.
Usage Notes
The word is extremely rare outside of academic linguistics and lexicography. It is most frequently used when discussing the systematic categorization of proverbs or idiomatic expressions that rely on a central verb.
Common Mistakes
Learners might use this word to mean any dictionary. It should only be used when the focus is strictly on verb-based idioms or phrases.
Memory Tip
Think of it as a 'Library' (suffix -ary) for 'Verbs' (verb). A de-VERB-ary is where verbs and their idiomatic families live.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'de-' (from) + 'verbum' (word/verb) + the English suffix '-ary' (denoting a place or collection).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
This term is more commonly encountered in European linguistic traditions, particularly in Polish and Russian philology (known as 'deverbia'), where the study of fixed verbal phrases is highly developed.
Quick Quiz
The researcher consulted the ________ to find all known idioms related to the verb 'to break' in the 17th century.
Correct!
The correct answer is: deverbary
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