dictionary Meaning, Definition & Usage

Dic"tion*a*ry noun

Etymology

Cf. F. dictionnaire. See Diction.

Wordforms

plural Dictionaries

Definitions

1. A book containing the words of a language, arranged alphabetically, with explanations of their meanings; a lexicon; a vocabulary; a wordbook.

   I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or illustrate any word or phrase, accumulated in time the materials of a dictionary. Johnson.

2. Hence, a book containing the words belonging to any system or province of knowledge, arranged alphabetically; as, a dictionary of medicine or of botany; a biographical dictionary.