Is this a real word? As in the article I just read, agglomerating unprecedented amounts of data?

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agglomerate



agglomerate
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3 ENTRIES FOUND:
1) agglomerate (verb)
2) agglomerate (adjective)
3) agglomerate (noun)


1ag·glom·er·ate verb \ə-ˈglä-mə-ˌrāt\
ag·glom·er·at·edag·glom·er·at·ing

Definition of AGGLOMERATE

transitive verb
: to gather into a ball, mass, or cluster
See agglomerate defined for kids »
Examples of AGGLOMERATE


Origin of AGGLOMERATE

Latin agglomeratus, past participle of agglomerare to heap up, join, from ad- + glomer-, glomus ball — more at clam
First Known Use: 1684
Related to AGGLOMERATE

Synonyms: wad, ball, roll, round
Antonyms: unroll
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Rhymes with AGGLOMERATE

abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, alienate, alleviat...
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I wonder if the anatomical term, "glomerulus" might be related? It's a cluster of blood vessels in the kidney.

First Known Use: 1684 Wow! As usual, I am behind the times, but I sure didn't realize how far! Thank you!

Okay--then, is glom a real word? As in, glom on to something?

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=glom&searchmode=none



glom
1907, glahm "grab, snatch, steal," Amer.Eng. underworld slang, from Scot. glaum (1715), apparently from Gael. glam "to handle awkwardly, grab voraciously, devour." Sense of "look at, watch" (1945) apparently is derived from the same source. Related: Glommed; glomming.

Hal, your post must've been processing as I was writing my second one, 'cause this is my first time seeing it. But I bet you're right; it sure sounds logical, anyway.

Thanks again, Luke. So glom and agglomerate are not etymologically related? That amazes me--their meanings are so similar: gather, grab.

And what, pray tell, is your definition of a "real word"?

what [...] is your definition of a "real word"?

Obviously, from the answer, it's in the dictionary, but what is one's definition of dictionary.

All kidding aside, it's non-real words like dord or epicacostacy.

I suppose that a word is "real" as soon as someone, somewhere uses it and someone else understands what is meant. f the word spreads and is understood by an increasing number of people and for an increasing length of time, then it is likely to reach the dictionary. But even if this doesn't happen and its existance is merely transitory, it is still as real as the spark from a fire.

I suppose that a word is "real" as soon as someone, somewhere uses it and someone else understands what is meant. [I]f the word spreads and is understood by an increasing number of people and for an increasing length of time, then it is likely to reach the dictionary.

Well, that's a relief. So, irregardless is a word. I'd say this "rule" holds true for new meanings of old, real words, too. (Take that decimation, peevers!) Welcome to the "linguistics side", RC. "This time, I know, our side will win."

I pulled my intensive-prefix argument for irregardless on John McIntyre's Facebook page and he repeated it.

he repeated it.

Did he cite you?

Hmm--are there words that could be described as having a half-life? (More than nonce but less than "real"?)

No. Better. He just stated it as fact.

The words that walk in shadows, the code words, meant to not be understood except by those who know the code; words like 'repelsteeltje'.

Rat cheer it is.

Steal from the best: an old adage.

No, he's at least half aldage.

An he transcends his oldage!