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gre·gar·i·ous

(grĭ-gârē-əs)

adj.

1. Seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable. See Synonyms at social.

2. Tending to move in or form a group with others of the same kind: gregarious bird species.

3. Botany Growing in groups that are close together but not densely clustered or matted.

[Latin gregārius, belonging to a flock, from grex, greg-, flock; see ger- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

gre·gari·ous·ly adv.

gre·gari·ous·ness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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