idiom

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɪdɪəm/

noun

  • 1a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g. over the moon, see the light).
  • [mass noun] a form of expression natural to a language, person, or group of people: he had a feeling for phrase and idiom
  • the dialect of a people or part of a country.
  • 2a characteristic mode of expression in music or art: they were both working in a neo-Impressionist idiom

Origin:

late 16th century: from French idiome, or via late Latin from Greek idiōma 'private property, peculiar phraseology', from idiousthai 'make one's own', from idios 'own, private'