LEXICON Definition & Meaning

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lexicon

[ lek-si-kon, -kuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural lexica lexicons.

a wordbook or dictionary, especially of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew.
Synonyms: , , ,
the vocabulary of a particular language, field, social class, person, etc.
inventory or record:
unparalleled in the lexicon of human relations.
Linguistics.
1. the total inventory of morphemes in a given language.
2. the inventory of base morphemes plus their combinations with derivational morphemes.

lexicon

/ ˈ��ɛ��ɪ��ə�� /

noun

a dictionary, esp one of an ancient language such as Greek or Hebrew
a list of terms relating to a particular subject
the vocabulary of a language or of an individual
linguistics the set of all the morphemes of a language

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of lexicon¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Modern Latin, from Medieval Greek, Greek lexikòn (��í�ǲ�) “word (book),” from ��澱��ó�� neuter of adjective ��澱��ó�� “of or pertaining to words” + ��í�ǲ� “b�Ǵǰ�”; lexis -ic; Bible ( def )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of lexicon¹

C17: New Latin, from Greek lexikon , n use of lexikos relating to words, from Greek lexis word, from legein to speak

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Example Sentences

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These popular words are among a slew of "untranslatable words", defined by the OED as "words and phrases in one language that cannot be translated into another", featured in the latest lexicon.

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The phrase has entered the lexicon, so perfect is it in summing up the ruthlessness of the F1 business environment.

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“Fires will come again, and today ‘fire hurricane’ has entered the lexicon,” writes Knight.

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Toné! its first Grammy nomination and cement the group’s place in the modern R&B lexicon.

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The term “tailgating” wasn’t in the English lexicon at the time, but football fans nationwide were certainly partaking in its festivities.

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