vernacular

Definition

The language of a people or a national language.

Etymology

From Latin vernāculus (“domestic, indigenous, of or pertaining to home-born slaves”), from verna (“a native, a home-born slave (one born in his master's house)”).

Example Sentences

• "The principal vernacular of the United States is English."
• "The idea that the Bible should be translated into vernaculars was explosive in medieval society."
• "Near-synonyms: basilect, demotic"