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INDO-EUROPEAN & SEMITIC ROOTS APPENDICES
Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:
The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.
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adj. 1. a. Dazzlingly beautiful or magnificent: wore a gorgeous Victorian gown. b. Characterized by magnificence or virtuosic brilliance: the pianist's gorgeous technique. 2. Informal Wonderful; delightful. [Middle English gorgeouse, probably from Old French gorgias, jewelry-loving, elegant, from gorge, throat; see GORGE.] gorgeous·ly adv. gorgeous·ness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
