lexicography
|lex-i-cog-ra-phy|
🇺🇸
/ˌlɛksɪˈkɑːɡrəfi/
🇬🇧
/ˌlɛksɪˈkɒɡrəfi/
writing about words / making dictionaries
Etymology
'lexicography' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'lexikon' and 'graphein', where 'lexikon' meant 'vocabulary, list of words' and 'graphein' meant 'to write'.
'lexicography' entered English formation via Late Latin/Neo-Latin and French compounds (from Greek roots) and became established in English from the 17th century as the term for dictionary-making.
Initially it literally meant 'writing about words' (writing/recording a lexicon); over time it came to denote both the practical activity of compiling dictionaries and the scholarly study of dictionary-making.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the practice or art of compiling, writing, and editing dictionaries (including selecting headwords, writing definitions, and organizing entries).
Lexicography requires careful research into word usage and history.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the scholarly study and theory of dictionary-making and lexical description (often called theoretical lexicography).
She specializes in lexicography and has published on dictionary theory.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/24 18:43