Page "Dictionary" Paragraph 1

A dictionary ( also called a wordbook, lexicon or vocabulary ) is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often listed alphabetically, with usage information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics, pronunciations, and other information ; or a book of words in one language with their equivalents in another, also known as a lexicon.

According to Nielsen ( 2008 ) a dictionary may be regarded as a lexicographical product that is characterised by three significant features: ( 1 ) it has been prepared for one or more functions ; ( 2 ) it contains data that have been selected for the purpose of fulfilling those functions ; and ( 3 ) its lexicographic structures link and establish relationships between the data so that they can meet the needs of users and fulfill the functions of the dictionary.