History of Dictionaries

Robert Cawdrey's "A Table Alphabeticall" (1604) was the first English dictionary organized alphabetically.

Published in 1755, it was a hugely influential English dictionary, the first truly reliable one to use textual references and establish English spelling and definition standards.

A very large and comprehensive dictionary of the English Language, famous for its in-depth etymological information and extensive historical context of words. It is often considered the definitive English language reference.

English writer and educator who produced "Elementarie" (1582), a non-alphabetical list of English words (8,000).

English writer who produced Glossographia (1656), a significant dictionary with over 10,000 words and etymologies.

English writer who published "The New World of English Words" in 1658. This was a copy of Blount's work.

English dictionaries progressed from non-alphabetical lists to comprehensive, alphabetized references containing etymologies and textual explanations.

Dictionaries are essential for accurate spelling, proper definitions and to understand the usage of words in a language.

A pioneering attempt at defining English words and arranging them alphabetically.

Robert Dodsley and Thomas Longman paid Samuel Johnson a substantial sum (1,500 guineas) to create the English dictionary.

A comprehensive dictionary of the English language, published in 12 volumes in total between 1884 and 1928.

The first major American English dictionary, published in 1828, containing 70,000 words and including 12,000 new ones.

Venerable Bede's translation of John's gospel in 735 CE, marking the begining point.

The first complete English translation of the Bible, completed in 1382, translated from the Latin Vulgate.

A pivotal English Bible translation from the original Greek and Hebrew texts.

English Bible translation published in 1535.

An influential English translation of the Bible, published in 1611.

Studying Bible translations according to their release dates.

Understanding the factors that influenced the creation of each English Bible translation, including religious, political, and linguistic developments during their time of creation.

Venerable Bede's translation of John's Gospel in 735 CE, the beginning point.

Arranging English Bible translations in the order they were released.

Examining the history of English Bible translations, encompassing religious, political, and linguistic development.

The word "dictionary" was coined by John of Garland in 1220, though the first significant collection of English words, "Elementarie," was created by Richard Mulcaster in 1582 and wasn't alphabetically organized.

Robert Cawdrey's "A Table Alphabeticall" (1604) was the first English dictionary to be organized alphabetically, making it much easier to find words.

Thomas Blount published "Glossographia" in 1656, a more advanced dictionary with over 10,000 words and their etymologies (origins).

Samuel Johnson's "A Dictionary of the English Language" (1755) was revolutionary, the first truly reliable English dictionary with textual references, standardizing English spelling and definitions.

Robert Dodsley and Thomas Longman, London booksellers, commissioned Samuel Johnson to create his groundbreaking dictionary, paying him a substantial sum.

Before Johnson, there was no single, reliable standard for English spelling, defining words, and proper usage. This dictionary addressed a growing need.

Robert Cawdrey's dictionary, "A Table Alphabeticall", revolutionized word finding by introducing alphabetical organization, making English dictionaries more user-friendly.

The origin or history of a word, often explored in dictionaries like "Glossographia".