Definition of LEXICON

lexicon

Meanings

Plural: lexica, lexicons

Noun

  • a language user's knowledge of words
  • a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
  • The vocabulary of a language.
  • A dictionary that includes or focuses on lexemes.
  • A dictionary of Classical Greek, Hebrew, Latin, or Aramaic.
  • The lexicology of a programming language. (Usually called lexical structure.)
  • Any dictionary.
  • The vocabulary used by or known to an individual. (Also called lexical knowledge.)
  • A set of vocabulary specific to a certain subject.
  • A set of vocabulary specific to a certain subject.
  • A list thereof.

Verb

  • To add to a lexicon.
  • To shorten a soundtrack to fit a shortened version of a movie.

Origin / Etymology

Through Middle French or directly from New Latin lexicon, from Byzantine Greek λεξικόν (lexikón, “a lexicon, a dictionary”), ellipsis from Ancient Greek λεξικὸν βιβλίον (lexikòn biblíon, literally “a book of words”), from λεξικός (lexikós, “of words”), from λέξις (léxis, “a saying, speech, word”), from λέγω (légō, “to speak”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leǵ- (“to gather, collect”).
Attested at least since 1583 (in William Fulke's A Defense of the Sincere and True Translations of the Holy Scriptures into the English tongue) in the sense 'a dictionary of a classical language'.

Synonyms

dictionary, glossary, mental lexicon, vocabulary, word-hoard, word-stock, wordbook

Scrabble Score: 16

lexicon is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
lexicon is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
lexicon is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

lexicon is a valid Words With Friends word