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Webster 1913 Edition


Vocabulary

Vo-cab′u-la-ry

(vō̍-kăb′ū̍-lā̍-ry̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Vocabularies
(#)
.
[LL.
vocabularium
,
vocabularius
: cf. F.
vocabulaire
. See
Vocable
.]
1.
A list or collection of words arranged in alphabetical order and explained; a dictionary or lexicon, either of a whole language, a single work or author, a branch of science, or the like; a word-book.
2.
A sum or stock of words employed.
His
vocabulary
seems to have been no larger than was necessary for the transaction of business.
Macaulay.

Webster 1828 Edition


Vocabulary

VOCAB'ULARY

,
Noun.
[L. vocabulum, a word.]
A list or collection of the words of a language, arranged in alphabetical order and explained; a dictionary_webster1828 or lexicon. We often use vocabulary in a sense somewhat different from that of dictionary_webster1828, restricting the signification to the list of words; as when we say, the vocabulary of Johnson is more full or extensive than that of Entick. We rarely use the word as synonymous with dictionary_webster1828, but in the other countries the corresponding word is used and this may be so used in English.

Definition 2024


vocabulary

vocabulary

English

Noun

vocabulary (countable and uncountable, plural vocabularies)

  1. A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.
  2. The collection of words a person knows and uses.
    My Russian vocabulary is very limited.
  3. The stock of words used in a particular field.
    The vocabulary of social sciences is often incomprehensible to ordinary people.
  4. The words of a language collectively.
    The vocabulary of any language is influenced by contacts with other cultures.
  5. A range of artistic or stylistic forms or techniques

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