Di"a*lect (?), n. [F. dialecte,
L. dialectus, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to converse, discourse. See
Dialogue.] 1. Means or mode of expressing
thoughts; language; tongue; form of speech.
This book is writ in such a dialect
As may the minds of listless men affect.
Bunyan.
The universal dialect of the world.
South.
2. The form of speech of a limited region or
people, as distinguished from ether forms nearly related to it; a
variety or subdivision of a language; speech characterized by local
peculiarities or specific circumstances; as, the Ionic and Attic were
dialects of Greece; the Yorkshire dialect; the
dialect of the learned.
In the midst of this Babel of dialects there
suddenly appeared a standard English language.
Earle.
[Charles V.] could address his subjects from every
quarter in their native dialect.
Prescott.
Syn. -- Language; idiom; tongue; speech; phraseology. See
Language, and Idiom.