lexicon

/ˈlɛksɪkɑn/

/ˈlɛksɪkɒn/

Other forms: lexicons

A lexicon is the vocabulary of a language or subject. "No-hitter," "go-ahead run," and "Baltimore chop" are part of the baseball lexicon.

Lexicons are really dictionaries, though a lexicon usually covers an ancient language or the special vocabulary of a particular author or field of study. In linguistics, the lexicon is the total stock of words and word elements that carry meaning. Lexicon is from Greek lexikon (biblion) meaning "word(book)," ultimately going back to legein, "to speak."

Definitions of lexicon

1. noun

   a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
   synonyms: dictionary

   types:

   bilingual dictionary

   a dictionary giving equivalent words in two languages

   collegiate dictionary, desk dictionary

   an abridged dictionary of a size convenient to hold in the hand

   etymological dictionary

   a dictionary giving the historical origins of each word

   gazetteer

   a geographical dictionary (as at the back of an atlas)

   learner's dictionary, school dictionary

   a dictionary specially written for those learning a foreign language

   little dictionary, pocket dictionary

   a dictionary that is small enough to carry in your pocket

   spell-checker, spelling checker

   an electronic dictionary in a word processor that can be used to catch misspelled words

   unabridged, unabridged dictionary

   a dictionary that has not been shortened by the omitting terms or definitions; a comprehensive dictionary

   type of:

   wordbook

   a reference book containing words (usually with their meanings)
2. noun

   a language user's knowledge of words
   synonyms: mental lexicon, vocabulary

   type of:

   cognition, knowledge, noesis

   the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning