languages

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of language.

   The conference brought together speakers of dozens of languages.

   Endangered languages often disappear when their last fluent speakers die.

   Note

   Only the countable meanings of language take this plural: the tongues of whole communities, systems of animal signals, and computer languages, as in a programmer who knows several languages. The general ability to speak and the jargon of a particular field are uncountable and stay singular, so we say language sets humans apart, not languages. Figurative uses go either way: the language of music, or the languages of music and dance.

2. 2
   verbnonstandard

   Third-person singular simple present of language. A rare, nonstandard verb use.

   Note

   A rare, nonstandard verb meaning to put something into words, here in its -s form. It is spelled exactly like the plural noun, so a sentence such as the poet languages grief can trip a reader for a moment before the verb comes into focus. In ordinary or careful prose, expresses or puts into words is the safer choice. Keep this form for deliberate, writerly effect, where the strangeness is the point.

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