lexicographer
English
Etymology
From French lexicographe, from Ancient Greek λεξικός (lexikós, “of words”) + γράφω (gráphō, “write”); synchronically, lexico- + -grapher.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˌlɛksɪˈkɒɡɹəfə(ɹ)/
Audio (International) (file)
Noun
lexicographer (plural lexicographers)
- One who writes or compiles a dictionary
- Synonyms: dictionarian, dictionarist, lexicographist
- [1755 April 15, Samuel Johnson, “Lexico′grapher”, in A Dictionary of the English Language: […] , volume II (L–Z), London: […] J[ohn] and P[aul] Knapton; […], OCLC 1637325, column 1:
- Lexico′grapher. [...] A writer of dictionaries; a harmleſs drudge, that buſies himſelf in tracing the original, and detailing the ſignification of words.]
- 1811, George Gordon Byron, Hints from Horace:
- Pitt has furnish'd us a word or two / Which lexicographers declined to do.
- 1860, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Biographies contributed to the Encyclopædia Britannica:
- The best lexicographer may well be content if his productions are received by the world with cold esteem.
Related terms
- lexicography
- lexicon
- lexicologist
Translations
one who writes or compiles a dictionary
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