Meaning & Definition of word "Lexicon"

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    Lexicon

    /ˈlɛk.sɪ.kən/

    noun:

    • 1. The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.
      • Example: His extensive lexicon of technical terms made him a valuable asset to the project.
    • 2. A dictionary or a listing of the words of a language.
      • Example: The lexicon of this dialect is quite different from standard English.
    • 3. A mental repository of words and their meanings.
      • Example: As a young child, she was encouraged to expand her lexicon through reading.

    Etymology

    From the Greek 'lexikon', meaning 'of or for words'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    mental lexicon:

    The cognitive dictionary that contains all the words a person understands.

    lexicon of a profession:

    The specialized vocabulary used in a specific field of work.

    children's lexicon:

    The set of words that children are capable of understanding or using.

    Related Words

    vocabulary:

    The set of words known and used by a person.

    dictionary:

    A book or electronic resource that lists words and their meanings.

    Slang Meanings of lexicon

    Meaning: A person's unique set of words and expressions.

    Example Sentence: He's got a whole lexicon of slang from growing up in the city.

    Meaning: The collection of terms used in a specific subculture.

    Example Sentence: The lexicon of gamers includes abbreviations and references unique to the community.