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A.Word.A.Day--polyglot

polyglot (POL-ee-glot) adjective

1. Conversant in many languages.

2. Composed of or having several languages. (as in a book, a population, etc.)

3. Encompassing diversity (as in culture or origin).

noun

1. One who is competent in many languages.

2. A book having the same text in several languages.

3. A mixture or confusion of languages.

[From Greek polyglottos, from poly- (many) + glotta (tongue, language), The words gloss, glossary, and glottis are derived from the same root.]

See more usage examples of polyglot in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

"For decades, New York has been the province of street photographers who have sought the downtrodden, the troubled or the eccentric among the city's polyglot populace." Mary Abbe; Picture Perfect; Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota); Jun 4, 2004.

"Valiani, the man, is a cultural polyglot. He's a Seattle-born Italian who looks like a Boston Irishman who's married to a Nebraskan he met in Los Angeles." Grand New Menu Chef Knows What Kansas Citians Like; Kansas City Star; Jun 18, 2004.

This week's theme: words to describe people.

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