The Anatomy of a Dictionary Entry

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The Anatomy of a Dictionary Entry

• By Jane Smith and Kim Jones

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What does a dictionary entry look like?

• trunk (trngk) noun
• 1 a the main stem of a tree apart from limbs and
  rootscalled also bole b(1) the human or animal
  body apart from the head and appendages TORSO
  (2) the thorax of an insect c the central part
  of anything specifically the shaft of a column
  of pilaster
• 2 a (1) a large rigid piece of luggage used
  usually for transporting clothing and personal
  effects (2) the luggage compartment of an
  automobile b (1) a superstructure over a ships
  hatches usually level with the poop deck (2) the
  part of the cabin of a boat projecting above the
  deck (3) the housing for a centerboard or
  rudder
• Middle English tronke box, trunk, from Middle
  French tronc, from Latin truncus trunk, torso
• Date 15th century
• Source http//www.merriamwebster.com/cgi-bin/dict
  ionary

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What is all that mumbo-jumbo?

• A dictionary includes
• Entry word in bold gives correct spelling and
  alternate spelling
• Pronunciation word is separated by syllables
  shows stressed syllables, and pronunciation marks
  that can be interpreted by the pronunciation key
• Related forms for example, different tenses of
  verbs
• Part of speech in italics noun, verb,
  adjective, adverb, etc.
• Definition meaning of the word
• Synonyms words that mean the same
• Antonyms words that mean the opposite
• Etymology origin or history of the word

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Definitions

• There are different definitions of words
  according to parts of speech.
• For example
• wind noun a natural movement of air at any
  velocity
• wind verb to turn completely or repeatedly
  around an object (as the string on a kite)

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Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms are words that mean the same.
• Antonyms are words that mean the opposite.
• These words can be found at the end of the
  dictionary entry, usually after syn. or ant..

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Thesaurus

• A thesaurus is a synonym dictionary.
• A thesaurus entry usually gives you a brief
  definition of the word followed by synonyms,
  related words, and contrasted words (antonyms).
• The purpose of a thesaurus is to expand your
  vocabulary by finding new words that mean the
  same.

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Thesaurus Entry

• run verb 1 to move at a fast springing gait in
  which both feet are momentarily off the ground in
  the course of each pace
• Synonyms dash, scamper, scoot, scurry, shin,
  sprint, SCUTTLE
• Related Words career, course, race bustle,
  hurry, hustle, rush, speed scorch
• Contrasted Words crawl, creep, drag, inch, mosey,
  poke, saunter, stroll, toddle
• Source http//www.merriamwebster.com/cgi-bin/thes
  aurus

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Etymology

• Etymology is the study of word origin or history.
• English has borrowed words from many different
  languages and has adapted the word to a different
  meaning.
• Etymology is usually placed in brackets.
• The etymology should give you the language of
  origin, what the word looked like in the language
  of origin, and the meaning in the language of
  origin.

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Etymology Example

• Ski noun
• Norwegian, fr ON sklth stick of wood, ski akin
  to OE scld board
• The word ski came the most recently from the
  Norwegian language.
• Before that, the word was from Old Norse and
  spelled sklth meaning stick of wood.
• The word sklth was akin to the Old English word,
  scld, meaning board.
• Source http//www.merriamwebster.com/cgi-bin/dic
  tionary

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On-Line Dictionaries

• www.merriamwebster.com
• www.dictionary.com
• www.wordsmyth.com
• http//www.yourdictionary.com/library/article003.h
  tml
• http//www.dictionary.cambridge.org/

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Conclusion

• Dictionaries can be used to find correct
  spelling, part of speech, pronunciation,
  definition, and synonyms and antonyms of words.
• A thesaurus can be used to find many words that
  mean the same or opposite in attempt to keep
  language from becoming dull and word from
  becoming overused.
• Etymology is the origin of the word which states
  the historical background of the word, such as
  language of origin.

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Works Cited

• Trunk and Ski Dictionary Entry
• http//www.merriamwebster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
• Run Thesaurus Entry
• http//www.merriamwebster.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus
• Etymology Explanation
• http//www.cabrillo.cc.ca.us/divisions/english/290
  /how/10.html
• Merriam Webster Dictionary
• http//www.merriamwebstercom/book/diction/mwpbk.ht
  m
• Merriam Webster Thesaurus
• http//www.merriamwebster.com/book/thesaur/theshmo
  f.htm
• All Images are from Microsoft Clip Art, unless
  otherwise noted.