polyglot — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A publication in several languages; specifically, a book (especially a bible) containing several versions of the same subject matter or text in several languages.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   [T]hose coming to the warehouses' doors fired them, and burned all the books and the pillars of the church, […] A great want thereof there will be of books, specially Latin books and foreign books; and, among others, the Polyglottes and new Bible, which he believes will be presently worth £40 a-piece.

   But ſince that period the biblical apparatus has been much enriched by the publication of polyglots; […]

2. One who has mastered (especially when able to speak) several languages.

   Usage

   • also
   • Figurative

   Synonyms

   multilinguistpolyglottistpolylinguist

   Examples

   Laſtly, a polyg[l]ot or good linguiſt may alſo be term'd a uſefull learned man, ſpecially if vers'd in School-languages.

3. A mixture of languages or nomenclatures.

   Usage

   • also
   • Figurative

4. A file that can be interpreted validly as multiple formats.

   Examples

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   If you are interested in polyglot file formats, take a look at the polyglot web page in the Corkami wiki. There are various example polyglots, including a PDF file that is also a valid HTML file with JavaScript, as well as a valid Windows PE executable.

5. A program written to be valid in multiple programming languages.

6. A bird able to imitate the sounds of other birds.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Adjective

1. Of a person: speaking, or versed in, many languages; multilingual.

   Synonyms

   polyglotticpolylingual

   Examples

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   '[T]is thought the two and twenty Languages which Mythrydates the great Polyglot King of Pontus did ſpeak, wer all within the circumference of Anatolia in regard his dominions extended but a little further: […]

   For this flyaway son of a Phœnician did not seem to wait for the decision of the polyglot Judges of the Emigration Board.

   More examples (1)

   Esperanto is never a speaker’s only language but has to compete with their (usually stronger) other languages. As Esperanto speakers are more polyglot than average[…], this competition is even stronger.

2. Containing, or made up of, several languages; specifically, of a book (especially a bible): having text translated into several languages.

   Synonyms

   polyglossicpolyglottalpolyglottic

   Examples

   a polyglot bible a polyglot lexicon

3. Comprising various (native) linguistic groups; multilingual.

   Examples

   A polyglot region without a clearly dominant culture may develop an artificial lingua franca, such as Pidgin English in the South Sea.

   Even in Switzerland, one of the most polyglot of nations, no more than 10 percent of the people are capable of writing a simple letter in English.

Adjective

1. having a command of or composed in many languages

   Examples

   a polyglot traveler

   a polyglot Bible contains versions in different languages

Noun

1. a person who speaks more than one language

   Synonyms

   linguist

   Broader terms

   actordoerworker