wordlore

English

Alternative forms

• word-lore

Etymology

From word +‎ lore. Compare Old English wordlār (“verbal teaching or instruction”).

Noun

wordlore (uncountable)

1. (uncommon) The science, study, or knowledge of words.

   Coordinate terms: lexicography, lexicology, philology

   • 1910, Ruth Sawyer, Poet lore:

     Morris mastered the secrets of English wordlore as much better than Shakespeare as the manifold development of the science of language (speechlore) natually enabled him to do.

   • 1989, American Psychological Association, Psyc books: Volume 2:

     Alcohol wordlore and folklore: Being a compendium of linguistic and social fact and fantasy associated with the use […]

Related terms

• wordbook
• word-lover