Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A cathedral city in west central England on the River Severn: A historic city in England, known for its cathedral and its location on the River Severn.
   • An industrial and university city in central Massachusetts to the west of Boston: A city in the United States, in the state of Massachusetts, known for industry and higher education.
   • United States lexicographer who was accused of plagiarism by Noah Webster (1784-1865): A person, Joseph Emerson Worcester, an American lexicographer.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Place in England):
  • The Battle of Worcester was a key conflict in 1651.
  • Worcester Cathedral is a famous landmark.
• Proper noun (Place in Massachusetts, USA):
  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in the city.
  • She moved to Worcester for her new job.
• Proper noun (Person):
  • Worcester published a famous dictionary in 1830.
  • The rivalry between Webster and Worcester shaped American lexicography.

Advanced Usage

• "Worcester sauce": A pungent sauce, often shortened to "Worcestershire sauce," originally associated with the city in England.
  • The recipe calls for a dash of Worcester sauce.

Variants and Related Words

• Worcestershire: The county in England which contains the city of Worcester. Also used in the full name "Worcestershire sauce."
• Worcesterian: A rarely used term meaning a person from Worcester, England.

Synonyms

• For the city (Massachusetts): The Heart of the Commonwealth (a nickname).
• For the lexicographer: Joseph E. Worcester (full name).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word Worcester primarily functions as a proper noun referring to specific places or a specific person. The intended meaning is almost always clear from context (e.g., historical vs. modern American context). The lexicographer is a specialized historical reference.

Noun

1. a cathedral city in west central England on the River Severn
2. an industrial and university city in central Massachusetts to the west of Boston
3. United States lexicographer who was accused of plagiarism by Noah Webster (1784-1865)