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Carpal Tunnel
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Is this a real word? As in the article I just read, agglomerating unprecedented amounts of data?
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Carpal Tunnel
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http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agglomerateagglomerate Popularity 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
[+]more
Rhymes with AGGLOMERATE
abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, alienate, alleviat...
[+]more
Last edited by LukeJavan8; 02/16/12 06:55 PM.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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stranger
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stranger
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I wonder if the anatomical term, "glomerulus" might be related? It's a cluster of blood vessels in the kidney.
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Carpal Tunnel
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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?
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Carpal Tunnel
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http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=glom&searchmode=noneglom 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.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Carpal Tunnel
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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.
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Carpal Tunnel
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First Known Use: 1684
Okay--then, is glom a real word? As in, glom on to something? And what, pray tell, is your definition of a "real word"?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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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.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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old hand
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old hand
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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'm immortal until proven otherwise
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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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."
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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