Knowra A Dictionary of the English Language A Dictionary of the English Language Samuel Johnson’s English dictionary, first published in 1755, defined and illustrated words with literary quotations. It became a landmark in English lexicography.
Samuel Johnson : An English writer and critic whose works include a major dictionary published in 1755. He planned, compiled, and edited the dictionary, largely working alone.
London booksellers : Booksellers who financed, published, and distributed books in London’s commercial print trade. A group of booksellers commissioned Johnson to produce the dictionary.
Headword : A word or phrase listed as the principal entry in a reference work. Each dictionary entry begins with the word Johnson set out to describe.
Noah Webster : An American lexicographer whose dictionaries helped establish a distinct American standard of English. Webster’s work followed Johnson’s precedent while reflecting different national aims.
English lexicography : The practice and study of compiling dictionaries of the English language. Johnson’s work became a defining achievement in this tradition.
Dictionary of the French Academy : A French dictionary produced under the authority of the Académie française, first published in 1694. Its institutional model contrasted with Johnson’s largely individual undertaking.
Definition : A statement explaining the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept. Johnson’s definitions range from concise explanations to memorable, pointed formulations.
Oxford English Dictionary : A historical dictionary documenting English words and their development through dated evidence. Its historical method extended the use of citations to document word histories.
Dictionary : A reference work that presents words with information such as meanings, pronunciations, or usage. Johnson’s book shaped expectations for what an English dictionary could provide.
Samuel Johnson's Plan of a Dictionary : Johnson’s 1747 prospectus outlining the aims and methods of his proposed English dictionary. The plan announced the project’s scope and proposed editorial principles.
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