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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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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; 02/16/2012 6:55 PM.
 
 
  
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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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 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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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.  
 
  
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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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 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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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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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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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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So, irregardless is a word.  I pulled my intensive-prefix argument for  irregardless on John McIntyre's Facebook page and he repeated it.  
 
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 he repeated it.
  Did he cite you? 
 
  
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Hmm--are there words that could be described as having a half-life?  (More than nonce but less than "real"?) 
 
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 he repeated it.
  Did he cite you?  No.  Better.  He just stated it as fact.  
 
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Hmm--are there words that could be described as having a half-life?  (More than nonce but less than "real"?)   The words that walk in shadows, the code words, meant to not be understood except by those who know the code; words like 'repelsteeltje'.  
 
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 he repeated it.
  Did he cite you?  No.  Better.  He just stated it as fact.   Rat cheer it is.  
 
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Steal from the best: an old adage. 
 
  
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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No, he's at least half aldage. 
 
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An he transcends his oldage! 
 
  
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