dictionary
/ˈdɪkʃən(ə)ri/
noun
Origin
Latin
dictio — saying, expression, word
Overview
Meaning Now
- A book or electronic resource that lists the words of a language, typically in alphabetical order, and gives their meaning, or gives the equivalent words in a different language.
- A reference work on a particular subject, the items of which are arranged in alphabetical order.
Literal older meaning
a collection of sayings or words
Language path
Latin → Medieval Latin → English
Earliest form
dictionarium
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term 'dictionary' was popularized by the Medieval Latin 'dictionarium', a reference work containing lists of words. Prior to this, similar works were often called 'glossaries' or 'lexicons'.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*deik-
“to show, point out”
- Latin
dictio
“a saying, utterance”
- Medieval Latin
dictionarium
“a collection of words/sayings”
Introduced in the 13th century as the title of a work by John of Garland.
- Middle French
dictionnaire
“dictionary”
- Early Modern English
dictionary
“dictionary”
First recorded in English around 1526.
Connections
Word parts
dict-
root
say, tell
-ion
suffix
forming nouns of action or condition
-ary
suffix
pertaining to, place for
Related across languages
French
dictionnaire
dictionary
Italian
dizionario
dictionary
Related words
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Related to dictionary
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.