English Dictionary

Every language is dynamic. Rapid changes in society, technology, and political conditions alongwith cultural exchanges between countries are responsible for the vast number of new words coined. These words need to be recorded and arranged for future generations. A dictionary is a compilation of words with their meanings according to the context. 

The dictionary is also called a lexicon.  It is derived from the words lexis that means word. The earliest English dictionary, A Dictionary of the English Language, also called Johnson’s Dictionary was written by Dr Samuel Johnson, in 1755. It is regarded as one of the most remarkable landmarks in the history of English Literature.  The Chambers Dictionary published in 1872, is known for its inclusion of newer terms and concepts.  The dictionary offered those words that were related to the industrial revolution and the subsequent advancements.  James Donald brought out a larger version of the dictionary, Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary (1901) that contained a fairly good collection of words.  These dictionaries provided literary and connotative meanings of words.    

Perhaps, the most popular and widely known collection of words appears in the Oxford English Dictionary.  Oxford and Cambridge universities, considered great seats of learning, brought out their own English dictionaries.  The Concise Oxford Dictionary is best circulated among school children.  It was started in addition to the Oxford English Dictionary and the Advanced Oxford English Dictionary.  There have been various editions to the Oxford Dictionary.  The remarkable feature of the latest dictionaries by Oxford is the inclusion of phonetic pronunciation and over tens of thousands of entries covering various aspects of culture and science.

The American, Noah Webster published his first dictionary, A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language in 1806.  He began the monumental An American Dictionary of the English Language the very next year and it took him twenty-seven years to complete.  Noah’s newer editions find wide circulations among college students and universities.  It has been accepted by the English too.

The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), an organization that gives importance to correct pronunciation, mandated the inclusion of phonetics in the dictionaries. This is to ensure that a standard form of pronunciation is maintained.

The other well-known dictionaries are Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Century Dictionary, Collins English Dictionary, Blackie’s Small School Dictionary. Online dictionaries have occupied the centre stage since the later part of the century.  World Net has a rich collection of words with their meanings and pronunciation.  Englishprep.com is a tutoring company that caters for English language learners’ needs. The website builds your command over English through their various courses. Embedded in most of the courses is a vocabulary building regimen. The website encourages you to log on to an online English dictionary to build a strong vocabulary. Go with Englishprep.com and enhance your English vocabulary.