-phemia, -phemic, -phemism, -pheme, -phemy +
(Greek: speak, talk; speech)
dysphemism, dysphemia
1. The deliberate substitution of an offensive expression for a neutral one.
2. An offensive expression deliberately substituted for a neutral one.
3. Any impairment in the ability to speak.
4. Disordered phonation (producing vocal sounds), articulation, or hearing resulting from emotional or mental deficits.
euphemis
A term for substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one that is considered harsh, blunt, or offensive.
euphemism
1. An inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive.
2. A word, or phrase, which is used in place of a term that might be considered too direct, too harsh, too unpleasant, or too offensive.
3. The use of a word, or phrase, that is more neutral, vague, or indirect to replace a direct, harsh, unpleasant, or offensive term.
euphemist
Someone who makes a substitution of an agreeable, an acceptable, or inoffensive expression for another one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant.
euphemistic
1. An inoffensive substitute for some offensive terminology.MBR<
2. A reference to euphemism or the use of a word or phrase to avoid saying another word or phrase that may be unpleasant or offensive.
euphemistical
Characterized as a euphemism or containing a euphemism; that is, softened in expression.
euphemistically
In a euphemistic manner, or the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
euphemize
To avoid saying, or writing, something direct, harsh, unpleasant, or offensive by using milder or more indirect language.
euphemizer
A reference to anyone who makes a substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant.
grapheme, graphemic
1. Any of a set of written symbols, letters, or combinations of letters that represent the same sound, e.g. “f” in fat, “ph” in photo, and “gh” in tough.
2. A written symbol that is used to represent speech.
graphemics
In linguistics, the study of systems of writing and their relationship to the systems of the languages they represent.
heterophemy
1. The unconscious saying, in speech or in writing, of that which one does not intend to say; frequently the very reverse of the thought which is present in a person's consciousness.
2. The use of one word, or phrase, when another is meant.
3. An accidental use of a word which is different from the one that is meant.
Polyphemus
In Greek mythology, the Cyclops who confined Odysseus and his companions in a cave until Odysseus blinded him and escaped.
prophecy
1. Knowledge of the future which is usually said to be obtained from a divine source.
2. A prediction uttered under divine inspiration.
3. Etymology: "function of a prophet," from O.Fr. profecie (12c.), from L.L. prophetia, from Gk. prophetia "gift of interpreting the will of the gods", came from
prophetes.
The meaning of a "thing spoken or written by a prophet" is from about 1300.
prophesy
1. To predict or to reveal through, or as if through, divine inspiration.
2. To predict what is going to happen or forecasting a future event; that is, to predict or to work out something that is likely to happen; such as, the weather conditions for the days ahead.
3. To supposedly reveal the will of a deity in predicting a future event.
Cross references of word families related directly, or indirectly, to: "talk, speak, speech; words, language; tongue, etc.":
cit-;
clam-;
dic-;
English Words: Origins and Histories;
fa-;
-farious;
glosso-;
glotto-;
lalo-;
linguo-;
locu-;
logo-;
loqu-;
mythico-;
-ology;
ora-;
-phasia;
phon-;
phras-;
Quotes: Language,Part 1;
Quotes: Language, Part 2;
Quotes: Language, Part 3;
serm-;
tongue;
voc-.
Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "divination, diviner; seer, soothsayer, prophecy, prophesy, prophet":
augur-;
auspic-;
fa-, fate;
Fates in action;
futur-;
-mancy;
omen;
sorc-, sorcery;
vati-.
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