Definition

1. Noun:
   • The art, craft, or process of writing, editing, or compiling dictionaries. This is the primary and most specific meaning of the word. It involves the scholarly principles and practices applied to the creation of dictionaries, including the selection of entries, definitions, pronunciations, etymologies, and usage examples.

Usage

• As a subject or field of study: "Lexicography" is used to refer to the academic discipline or professional practice.
• As an activity: It describes the specific work involved in making a dictionary.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Modern lexicography relies heavily on digital corpora to analyze word usage.
  • She dedicated her career to the lexicography of ancient languages.
  • The conference focused on new trends in computational lexicography.

Advanced Usage

• "Historical lexicography": The practice of compiling dictionaries that trace the historical development of words and their meanings.
  • The Oxford English Dictionary is a monumental achievement in historical lexicography.
• "Pedagogical lexicography": The branch concerned with creating dictionaries for language learners.
  • Pedagogical lexicography prioritizes clear definitions and example sentences for students.

Variants and Related Words

• Lexicographer (n): A person who writes, edits, or compiles dictionaries.
  • Samuel Johnson was a famous English lexicographer.
• Lexicographic (adj): Relating to lexicography.
  • The lexicographic principles for this dictionary are clearly outlined in the preface.
• Lexicographical (adj): Another form of the adjective meaning relating to lexicography.
  • He made several lexicographical decisions about how to handle slang terms.

Synonyms

• Dictionary-making: The process of creating dictionaries. (A more general, descriptive synonym.)
• Dictionary compilation: The act of assembling a dictionary from collected materials.

Related Phrases

• "The principles of lexicography": The foundational rules and methods governing the craft.
  • Her book explores the fundamental principles of lexicography.
• "A work of lexicography": Refers to a dictionary or a scholarly text about dictionary-making.
  • This new edition is a significant work of lexicography.

Noun

1. the act of writing dictionaries