Lexicography: Core Terminology for Dictionary Making

Lexicography is the scholarly discipline of compiling, editing, and studying dictionaries.

Key Terms

TermDefinition
LemmaCanonical dictionary form (e.g., singular noun, infinitive verb).
HeadwordThe word beginning an entry; the lookup key.
DefinitionStatement of a word's meaning(s).
EtymologyHistorical origin and development of a word.
PronunciationPhonetic transcription (IPA, respelling, audio).
Part of SpeechGrammatical category (noun, verb, adjective, etc.).
Usage NoteGuidance on register, dialect, collocation, or common errors.

Understanding this metalanguage enables effective dictionary use and linguistic analysis.

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