Di"a*lect (?), n. [F. dialecte, L. dialectus, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to converse, discourse. See Dialogue.] 1. Means or mode of expressing thoughts; language; tongue; form of speech.

This book is writ in such a dialect
As may the minds of listless men affect.
Bunyan.
The universal dialect of the world.

2. The form of speech of a limited region or people, as distinguished from ether forms nearly related to it; a variety or subdivision of a language; speech characterized by local peculiarities or specific circumstances; as, the Ionic and Attic were dialects of Greece; the Yorkshire dialect; the dialect of the learned.

In the midst of this Babel of dialects there suddenly appeared a standard English language.

[Charles V.] could address his subjects from every quarter in their native dialect.

Syn. -- Language; idiom; tongue; speech; phraseology. See Language, and Idiom.

• A variety of a language (specifically, often a spoken variety) that is characteristic of a particular area, community or group, often with relatively minor differences in vocabulary, style, spelling and pronunciation.
       A language is a dialect with an army and a navy
  
  Dutch
• dialect