On the verge of
Close to, on the brink of, as in I was on the verge of calling the doctor when he suddenly got better, or Sara was on the verge of tears when she heard the news. This term uses verge in the sense of “the brink or border of something.” [ Mid-1800s ]
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- On the way
1. Also, on one’s way. In the process of coming, going, or traveling; also, about to come. For example, The mail plane is on the way, or She is on her way out the door, or Winter is on the way. 2. On the route of a journey, as in I met him on the […]
- Onomatopoeic
[on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐] /ˌɒn əˌmæt əˈpi ə, ‐ˌmɑ tə‐/ noun 1. the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent. 2. a word so formed. 3. the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect. /ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːə/ noun […]
- Onomatopoeia
[on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐] /ˌɒn əˌmæt əˈpi ə, ‐ˌmɑ tə‐/ noun 1. the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent. 2. a word so formed. 3. the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect. /ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːə/ noun […]
- Onomatophobia
noun a fear of names or other words because of their meaning; also called nomatophobia See nomatophobia Word Origin Greek onoma ‘name’ onomatophobia on·o·mat·o·pho·bi·a (ŏn’ə-māt’ə-fō’bē-ə) n. An abnormal dread of certain words or names because of their supposed significance.
- Onomatomania
noun a passion or compulsion for certain words or names and their supposed significance; also, a need to recall a certain word onomatomania on·o·mat·o·ma·ni·a (ŏn’ə-māt’ə-mā’nē-ə, -mān’yə) n. An abnormal concentration on certain words and their supposed significance or on the effort to recall a particular word.