C1 noun Formal

deverbary

/dɪˈvɜːrbiˌɛri/

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 5
1

To 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.

2

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.

3

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

Noun
deverbary
Verb
deverbalize
Adverb
deverbally
Adjective
deverbal
Related
deverbium
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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

1

To improve my writing, I often consult a deverbary to find more expressive verbal idioms.

everyday

To improve my writing, I often consult a dictionary of verbal idioms to find more expressive verbal phrases.

2

The scholar spent decades compiling a comprehensive deverbary of Medieval Latin phrases.

formal

The scholar spent decades compiling a comprehensive collection of verbal idioms in Medieval Latin.

3

I found this old deverbary in the attic; it has some really strange old-fashioned sayings.

informal

I found this old book of verb-based sayings in the attic; it has some very unusual historical expressions.

4

The deverbary serves as a vital tool for analyzing the evolution of idiomatic structures in Slavic languages.

academic

The index of verbal idioms is an essential tool for studying how idiomatic structures changed over time in Slavic languages.

5

Our copywriters used a deverbary to brainstorm action-oriented slogans for the new campaign.

business

Our copywriters used a collection of verbal phrases to think of action-based slogans for the new marketing campaign.

Word Family

Noun
deverbary
Verb
deverbalize
Adverb
deverbally
Adjective
deverbal
Related
deverbium

Common Collocations

linguistic deverbary a deverbary used for scientific linguistic study
compile a deverbary to gather and organize a collection of verbal idioms
historical deverbary a collection of verbal idioms from a specific past era
comparative deverbary a deverbary comparing verbal phrases across different languages
comprehensive deverbary a complete and thorough dictionary of verbal idioms

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

deverbary vs deverbal

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.

deverbary vs dictionary

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

Countable noun Plural: deverbaries Often used with the definite article when referring to a specific collection
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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

Related Words

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rechronship

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anteportfy

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antisolist

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trifigous

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