Definition
The practice and profession of compiling, writing, and editing dictionaries, or the study of how words are structured and defined within language.
Example Usage
Her career in lexicography has spanned three decades, during which she's documented thousands of slang terms and their evolving meanings.
Origin
From Greek 'lexikon' (relating to words) and 'graphia' (writing or description); the modern discipline developed as languages were systematically documented starting in the 16th century.
Fun Fact
Lexicographers must balance historical accuracy with contemporary usage, making the role increasingly complex in the digital age where new words and meanings emerge constantly across social media.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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