PIDGIN

pidgin

(noun) an artificial language used for trade between speakers of different languages

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

pidgin (countable and uncountable, plural pidgins)

(linguistics) an amalgamation of two disparate languages, used by two populations having no common language as a lingua franca to communicate with each other, lacking formalized grammar and having a small, utilitarian vocabulary and no native speakers.

Synonym: baragouin

(archaic, idiomatic) A person's business, occupation, work, or trade.

Usage notes

• Some pidgins that have developed into creoles nevertheless (confusingly) retain the word "pidgin" in their names.

Source: Wiktionary



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Word of the Day

9 May 2025

RIGHT

(noun) anything in accord with principles of justice; “he feels he is in the right”; “the rightfulness of his claim”


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Coffee Trivia

In 1884, Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy, demonstrated the first working example of an espresso machine.

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