idiom

n. a fixed phrase established by usage whose meaning cannot be deduced from the meanings of its individual words, such as to kick the bucket, meaning “to die.” Idioms are sometimes known as frozen forms because they have a fixed structure that cannot be varied according to the usual grammatical rules. For example, The old man kicked the bucket cannot be changed to The bucket was kicked by the old man without losing the idiomatic sense.

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Psychology term of the day

December 3rd 2024

5-HTTLPR

abbreviation for serotonin transporter–linked polymorphism region. See serotonin transporter.