conferencen.
/ˈkɒnf(ə)rəns/, /ˈkɒnf(ə)rn̩s/, U.S. /ˈkɑnf(ə)rəns/ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > [noun] > summing or addition
addition?c1425
conference1610
casting1743
tot1755
summation1781
totting1823
totalization1888
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > [noun] > gathering together
gatheringc900
collectiona1387
uptaking1503
conference1610
comportation1633
assemblage1717
upgathering1884
1610 A. Cooke Pope Joane in Harl. Misc. (1809) IV. 87 It is plain, by conference of years, that he meant to note out the 855th..put these odd sums, 4, 3, and 8, to 840 and they will make 855.
1651 tr. H. Wotton Panegyrick King Charles in H. Wotton Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1672) 137 The Bible, which by many years labour, and conference, and study, he [Bp. Bedel] had translated into the Irish tongue.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > [noun] > action of providing or supplying
usea1382
purveyancea1387
administration?a1425
application?a1425
ministration?a1425
purveying1442
findingc1449
administering1468
liveryc1475
storing1494
furnishing1496
nourishinga1530
ministering1530
conference1545
applial1548
affording1574
supplying1586
supplyment1589
accommodation1612
suppeditation1612
furniturea1649
supplial1738
purveyal1877
1545 T. Raynald in tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. sig. D.iiiv The conference of most matter in begettyng.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > comparison of texts > [noun]
collation1532
conference1538
collationing1715
collating1746
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Pref. to King The conference of phrases or fourmes of speakynge latin and englyshe.
1562 Q. Kennedy in Crosraguell & Knox (1563) 19 b (Jam.) Knox does not meit the heid of my partickle quhair I do mark the conferrence betuix the phrase of the scriptures alledged be vs baith.
1602 W. Fulbecke (title) The second part of the Parallele, or Conference of the Ciuill Law, the Canon Law, and the Common Law.
1645 J. Ussher Body of Divin. (1647) 24 By..conference of other places, the true reading may be discerned.
1663 W. Charleton Chorea Gigantum 30 As may be..collected from a Conference of Times, Actions, etc.
4. † b. Meeting for conversation, rendezvous. Obsolete.† c. Subject of conversation, ‘talk’. Obsolete.
a. The action of conferring or taking counsel, now always on an important or serious subject or affair; ‘the act of conversing on serious subjects, formal discourse’ (Johnson); but formerly in the more general sense of: Conversation, discourse, talk. in conference, engaged (in a conference), busy (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > conferring or consulting
aughteOE
redeOE
somrunec1275
speakingc1275
counselc1290
deliberationc1405
advisement1414
commoninga1425
communingc1425
imparlement1450
imparling1450
parleyc1490
parleying1508
counselment1523
parling1527
counsellinga1533
practice1540
interview1541
consultation1548
parliance1553
conference1555
enterparling1557
consult1560
imparlee1565
parlance1577
imparlance1579
parliamenting1582
deliberative1590
converse1614
parliamentation1622
powwowing1642
consulting1823
powwowism1873
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [phrase] > in conference negotiations
in treaty1881
in conference1926
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. ii. f. 10 You may..knowe by conference had with the Apothecaries.
1597 F. Bacon Ess. f. 1v Reading maketh a full man, conference a readye man, and writing an exacte man.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iv. ii. 17 Nor with such free and friendly Conference As he hath vs'd of old. View more context for this quotation
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1641 (1955) II. 65 To St. Marys Chapell, where I had some Conference with two English Jesuites.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 45 I saw the monk in close conference with a lady.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. ii. 40 Their hours of happy mirth and moments of serious conference . View more context for this quotation
1828 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I I. viii. 268 He demanded to be admitted to a last conference with the King.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxiv. 171 Our conference ended with the arrangement that I was to write him an official letter.
1926 P. G. Wodehouse Heart of Goof iii. 96 ‘We can ring..up on the 'phone and ask.’ ‘And be told that he is in conference.’
1927 Amer. Speech 2 214/1 To be in conference. The English ‘he's engaged’ is much less imposing.
1954 I. Murdoch Under Net xv. 205 I told H. K. that I was in conference and that if he would contact my secretary..a meeting might be arranged.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > meeting or assembling for common purpose > [noun] > a meeting
synagoguea1300
councilc1340
collect1382
convent1382
convocation1387
samingc1400
advocationa1425
meetingc1425
steven1481
congress1528
concion1533
conference1575
collection1609
congression1611
divan1619
rendezvous1628
comitia1631
society1712
majlis1821
get-up1826
agora1886
1575 W. Drury in T. Churchyard Chippes f. 43v Diuers enemies..had allwayes thear a common resort and conference.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > topic of or subject for conversation or gossip
talec1230
noveltyc1384
talking-stock1548
table talk1572
talk-stuff1598
talk1624
conference1633
town talk1642
conversation piece1784
talking point1922
1633 P. Massinger New Way to pay Old Debts iv. i. sig. I2 Wherefore haue you..giu'n your selfe To visits, and entertainments? thinke you Madam 'Tis not growne [printed growge] publike conference?
d. In modern legal practice, a meeting for professional advice at which only one counsel is present: distinguished from consultation.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > [noun] > conference or consultation
conference1877
consultation1882
1877 W. F. Summerhays & T. Toogood Precedents Bills of Costs 67 If one Counsel only is employed, the conference fee to him and clerk is £1. 6s. Attending conference (or consultation) with Counsel 0. 13. 4.
1883 Wharton's Law-lexicon (ed. 7) 179/2 Conference, a meeting between a counsel and solicitor to advise on the cause of their client.
1905 Ann. Practice 1906 II. 211 No fees are allowed for conferences in addition to the counsel's fees for drawing..any pleadings,..deeds, or other proceedings.
e. A trade association or combination, esp. of shipping companies. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trading organization > [noun]
common market1843
clique1855
syndicate1865
pool1868
ring1869
conference1894
cartel1902
holding company1906
price ring1914
trading bloc1922
club1950
1894 Westm. Gaz. 11 June 6/1 The combinations called ‘conferences’ bind merchants for long periods forward.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 3 June 2/2 The evil of the ‘conference’ arrangement is that the shipper is absolutely in the hands of the ‘ring’.
1930 Economist 5 Apr. 784/1 Revenue, outside the commodities controlled by ‘conference’ rates, must have been affected by last year's drop in ‘free’ freights.
1965 Economist 2 Jan. 34/1 A conference is an association of shipping lines plying a certain route; it fixes sailing schedules and rates for its members.
1970 Financial Times 13 Apr. 2/7 Member lines of the U.K.-Continent to India-Pakistan ship conferences announce that freight rates in the eastbound trade will be increased by 15 per cent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun]
speechc900
talec1000
speaka1300
reasonc1300
speakinga1325
counsela1350
intercommuningc1374
dalliancec1400
communication1419
communancec1449
collocutiona1464
parlour?c1475
sermocination1514
commona1529
dialogue?1533
interlocutiona1534
discourse1545
discoursing1550
conference1565
purposea1572
talk1572
interspeech1579
conversationa1586
devising1586
intercourse1596
intercommunication1603
eclogue1604
commercing1610
communion1614
negocea1617
alloquy1623
confariation1652
gob1681
gab1761
commune1814
colloquy1817
conversing1884
cross-talk1887
bull session1920
rap1957
1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare iv. 263 The foure Patriarkes..vsed to write letters of conference betweene them selues, thereby to professe their Religion one to an other.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. xii. 56 Witches, that pretended conference with the dead.
6. A formal meeting for consultation or discussion; e.g. between the representatives of different sovereign states, the two Houses of Parliament or of Congress, the representatives of societies, parties, etc. Hampton Court Conference, that held by James I and the High Church party with some of the Puritans in the Church of England, in January 1604; Savoy Conference, that held at the Savoy Palace in London between the Episcopalians and Presbyterians after the Restoration in 1661.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > conferring or consulting > a conference
councilc1275
parliamentc1325
consultationc1425
interview1514
view1520
talk1551
parle1552
colloquy1570
parley?a1580
enterparle1584
interparley1590
conference1592
enterparley1594
enterparlance1595
consult1600
antiparle1602
deliberation1632
consulto1659
conversation1703
palaver1735
consulta1768
korero1807
powwow1812
council-general1817
concilium1834
talk-in1966
think-in1966
1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. D3v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Whome your selfe knew an howre before our conference, to haue beene discharged our company.
1665–6 A. Marvell Corr. 5 Jan. A message came..from the Lords for present Conference upon four bills sent up to them.
1669 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 4 953 The Conferences held at Paris in the Academy Royal for the improvement of the Arts of Painting and Sculpture.
1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V II. vi. 429 They demanded a conference with the representatives of the cities concerning the state of the nation.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. ix. 151 Conferences most usually take place where either House disagrees to amendments in bills made by the other.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 49 The International Monetary Conference held at Paris, in 1867.
7. The annual assembly of ministers and other representatives of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion, constituting its central governing body (first held in 1744); also the name of similar assemblies or bodies in other Methodist societies, and some other religious bodies in Great Britain and America. (Written with capital C.)
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > council > Methodist > [noun]
conference1744
quarterly meeting1750
1744 J. Wesley Jrnl. Monday 25 [June] and the five following days, we spent in conference with many of our brethren.
1745 J. Wesley Jrnl. Thursday, August 1, and the following days, we had our second Conference, with as many of our brethren..as could be present.
1745 J. Wesley Min. Conversations (1749) Conv. ii, Aug. 1, 1745 It was proposed to review the Minutes of the last Conference with regard to justification.
1784 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) IV. 512 The Rev. John Wesley's Declaration and Appointment of the Conference of the people called Methodists.
1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede III. vi. Epil. 331 ‘Conference has forbid the women preaching’..‘Ah’, said Seth..‘and a sore pity it was o' Conference’.
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 21 July 10/1 The ‘Legal Hundred’..is a very important part of the Methodist organization. The one hundred ministers of which it is composed become ex-officio members of the conference for life.
8. The action of conferring; bestowal.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > [noun] > conferring
attribution1467
conferring1561
collation1579
bestowing1608
instating1647
bestowment1754
conference1869
bestowal1870
conferment1877
1869 Daily News 30 Oct. The conference of the degree upon Mr. Absolom was loudly cheered.
1881 Standard 25 Nov. The conferrence of the degree was loudly cheered by the undergraduates.
Compounds
attributive conference room, -table, etc.
conference centre n. a building or complex designed or adapted for the holding of conferences (sense 6).
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > public building > [noun] > meeting-hall or house
common hall?1473
assembly house1502
sedge1615
ambalama1807
meeting house1836
conference centre1958
1958 N.Y. Times Mag. 6 Apr. 24/3 Arden House has become the best known residential conference center in the country — perhaps in the world.
1984 Listener 10 May 3/1 The streets are getting grubbier, streets surrounding immense conference centres equipped with multi-channel audio equipment, plush chairs and subdued lighting.
conference room n.
ΚΠ
1867 A. Barry Life & Wks. Sir C. Barry vii. 260 A central conference room.
conference secretary n.
ΚΠ
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 21 July 10/1 Elected as conference secretary.
conference table n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > conferring or consulting > place for
speech-housec1050
palaver-court1735
palaver-room1735
palaver house1789
baraza1863
cenacle1889
conference table1928
table1946
rap centre1969
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > table > [noun] > other tables
dormant tablec1405
set board1512
chair-table1558
oyster table1559
brushing-table1575
stand board1580
table-chair1671
reading table1749
worktable1762
centre table1775
pier table1778
loo-table1789
screen table1793
social table1793
octoped1822
claw-table1832
bench table1838
mould1842
end table1851
pedestal table1858
picnic table1866
examining table1877
silver table1897
changing table1917
rent table1919
capstan table1927
conference table1928
tricoteuse1960
Parsons1962
overflow table1973
butcher's block1976
1928 ‘S. S. Van Dine’ Greene Murder Case xvii. 192 A small conference-table in one of the Stuyvesant Club's private rooms.
1938 W. H. Auden & C. Isherwood On Frontier ii. ii. 78 The politicians hunt for a formula under the conference-table.
1945 R. A. Knox God & Atom ix. 129 It suited the book of the Power which won the day at the conference-table.
Draft additions 1993
f. An association of sports teams or clubs in regular competition, esp. from one geographical area; (a division of) a league. Frequently attributive. Chiefly North American (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > player or sportsperson > [adjective] > relating to league
conference1905
major league1906
society > leisure > sport > player or sportsperson > [noun] > team or group > group of teams
league1879
conference1905
1905 Chicago Sunday Tribune 19 Mar. ii. 3/2 With Capt. Brietkreutz, holder of the conference half mile record, and L. Miller..out of the meet, Michigan should not have great difficulty in winning.
1908 Chicago Sunday Tribune 15 Mar. iii. 3/3 Minnesota's basketball team fell an easy prey to the champion University of Chicago five in the concluding game of the conference season.
1916 Outing Jan. 411/1 In the Middle Western Conference Illinois and Minnesota played a tie game and defeated all other opponents.
1948 Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, Okla.) 15 Jan. 6/3 The Ardmore Douglass high school Dragon cagers will meet the Lawton Lions in their second conference game of the season.
1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 25 Sept. 32/4 Football Record..Canadian League..Eastern Conference..Western Conference.
1986 Vauxhall Bedford Mirror 26 June 16/1 The two-year contract sees GM backing the Alliance League..as the renamed GM Vauxhall Conference. The ‘Conference’ will comprise..22 clubs.
Draft additions 1993
b. attributive in Telephony. Pertaining to or designating a service or facility which enables three or more persons on separate lines to hold a joint conversation or conference by telephone, esp. as conference call.
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society > communication > telecommunication > conferencing > [adjective]
conference1934
society > communication > telecommunication > conferencing > [noun] > conference call
conference call1965
1934 Electr. Communication XII. 146/1 The British Post Office has introduced telephone (trunk) conference service... As many as six subscribers may be connected to these circuits at one time.
1939 Sun (Baltimore) 19 Jan. 11 Unite the members of your family by conference telephone service... Call ‘conference operator’.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 189/2 Conference system, a telephone system used for conference between groups of persons at a distance; high-grade microphones and radiating receivers are employed.
1965 Punch 23 June 912/1 With a long-distance Conference Call you can talk to friends or relatives in as many as three or four cities at the same time. Just ask for Conference Operator.
1970 N.Y. Times 19 Nov. 47 Tuesday a bunch of us neighbors found ourselves being notified to stand by to come in for a conference call initiated by the White House.
1986 Financial Times 1 Dec. (World Telecom. Survey Suppl.) p. x/6 Modern digital PABXs provide advanced facilities such as ‘follow-me’ and conference calls to the users within a single site.
Draft additions 1997
9. Usually with capital initial. A late-ripening variety of pear, somewhat elongated in shape, with a russet-flecked dark green skin and sweet, juicy flesh. Also Conference pear.Apparently named after the 1885 National Pear Conference.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular types of fruit > [noun] > pear > late-ripening varieties
saffron pear1664
squib-pear1664
Virgoule1691
Virgouleuse1691
winter thorn1693
conference1885
Passe Crassane1954
1885 Jrnl. Hort., Cottage Gardener & Home Farmer 17 Dec. 536/1 Of new varieties, the Conference Pear exhibited by Messrs. Rivers and Son (season, October) was awarded a first class certificate.
1925 J. W. Morton Pract. Fruit-growing xiv. 110 In Conference we have a large pear which is ready to be marketed in October and November.
1976 Eastern Daily Press (Norwich) 19 Nov. 19/4 Pears, Conference, best 9p to 11p, Dutch Conference 8p to 12p lb.
1988 Times 29 Jan. 7/1 Other fruits in good supply are conference pears 22p–25p and comice pears 30p–45p.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
conferencev.
/ˈkɒnf(ə)rəns/, /ˈkɒnf(ə)rn̩s/, U.S. /ˈkɑnf(ə)rəns/ rare.
intransitive. To hold conference; to confer.
ΚΠ
1846 J. E. Worcester Universal Dict. Eng. Lang. (citing Chr. Observer).
1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xii. xi. 364 There was of course long conferencing, long consulting.
Draft additions 1993
b. spec. To participate in a telephone conference call with others.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > conferencing > conference [verb (transitive)]
conference1972
1972 N.Y. Law Jrnl. 10 Oct. 2/5 (advt.) With the flick of a switch, you and up to five key people can be conferencing with each other.
1976 Aviation Week & Space Technol. 10 May 49/3 There is a Norad telephone conferencing system that permits the sac commander in chief to conference with National Command Authority.
Draft additions 1993
ˈconferencing n.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > conferencing > [noun]
conferencing1905
teleconferencing1963
videoconferencing1967
video teleconferencing1977
1905 Westm. Gaz. 1 June 2/1 Delegates went home..very much pleased with the social and official reception accorded to them, but sick of the conferencing.
1985 Financial Times 19 Apr. (Survey Suppl.) p. ii/6 Conferencing, both audio and visual, is another example of a value added services [sic] which can lessen the inconvenience of geographical separation.
1988 Invision Oct. 14/3 If IBC awakened you to the delights of conferencing by the sea, then Interactive '88 could provide the ideal excuse for yet another coastal jaunt.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1538
v.1846- give the bell
- give the benefit of the doubt
- give the big e
- give the bird
- give the bob
- give the boot or the order of the boot
- give the bothered ear
- give the breast
- give the bucket to
- give the business
- give the butt
- give the case
- give the chuck
- give the cold shoulder
- give the day
- give the day to
- give the devil his due
- give the dingbats
- give the dor
- give the double
- give the double o
- give the double-cross
- give the doublecross
- give the dummy
- give the dunt