Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who invented the word 'dictionary'?
Who invented the word 'dictionary'?
What was the first alphabetical dictionary written in English?
What was the first alphabetical dictionary written in English?
Which dictionary published in 1755 remained the English-language standard for over 150 years?
Which dictionary published in 1755 remained the English-language standard for over 150 years?
Who authored the dictionary that contained more than 10,000 words along with their etymologies in 1656?
Who authored the dictionary that contained more than 10,000 words along with their etymologies in 1656?
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In what year was the Oxford English Dictionary first released in short fascicles?
In what year was the Oxford English Dictionary first released in short fascicles?
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What was the title of Noah Webster's first dictionary published in 1806?
What was the title of Noah Webster's first dictionary published in 1806?
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How many words did Webster's 1828 dictionary contain, of which twelve thousand were previously unpublished?
How many words did Webster's 1828 dictionary contain, of which twelve thousand were previously unpublished?
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Which dictionary was published in multiple revised editions after 1843 following Webster's death?
Which dictionary was published in multiple revised editions after 1843 following Webster's death?
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Which dictionary was created by Robert Cawdrey?
Which dictionary was created by Robert Cawdrey?
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Which publishing company acquired Merriam-Webster in 1964?
Which publishing company acquired Merriam-Webster in 1964?
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What was significant about Samuel Johnson's dictionary published in 1755?
What was significant about Samuel Johnson's dictionary published in 1755?
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What was the time span taken to complete the Oxford English Dictionary?
What was the time span taken to complete the Oxford English Dictionary?
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Which dictionary was published by Richard Mulcaster in 1582?
Which dictionary was published by Richard Mulcaster in 1582?
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What unique aspect did Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary introduce compared to previous dictionaries?
What unique aspect did Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary introduce compared to previous dictionaries?
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Which publisher acquired Webster's dictionary in 1843?
Which publisher acquired Webster's dictionary in 1843?
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Which dictionary was known for plagiarizing Thomas Blount's work?
Which dictionary was known for plagiarizing Thomas Blount's work?
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In what year did Samuel Johnson's dictionary establish a standard for English dictionaries?
In what year did Samuel Johnson's dictionary establish a standard for English dictionaries?
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Which dictionary was the first purely English alphabetical dictionary?
Which dictionary was the first purely English alphabetical dictionary?
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Which English dictionary began releasing its content in short fascicles starting in 1884?
Which English dictionary began releasing its content in short fascicles starting in 1884?
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Which of the following was true about the dictionary published in 1656 by Thomas Blount?
Which of the following was true about the dictionary published in 1656 by Thomas Blount?
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Study Notes
Dictionary Evolution
- John of Garland invented the word "dictionary" in 1220.
- Richard Mulcaster created a non-alphabetical list of 8,000 English words, called Elementarie, in 1582.
- Robert Cawdrey, an English schoolteacher, published A Table Alphabeticall, the first purely English alphabetical dictionary, in 1604.
- Thomas Blount's Glossographia (1656) included over 10,000 words and etymologies.
- Edward Phillips's The New World of English Words (1658) plagiarized Blount's work.
- Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (1755) became a highly influential standard English dictionary.
- Johnson's dictionary was arranged alphabetically and included textual references.
- The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) was a significant advancement beginning in 1884 and finalized twelve volumes in 1928.
American Dictionary Development
- Noah Webster, an American scholar, published A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language in 1806.
- Webster's ambitious project, An American Dictionary of the English Language, was completed in 1828 after 27 years.
- This dictionary contained 70,000 words, including 12,000 that were novel.
- G & C Merriam Co. acquired Webster's dictionary in 1843, and it's been republished numerous times since.
- Merriam-Webster was later acquired by Encyclopedia Britannica in 1964.
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Description
Explore the evolution of English dictionaries from John of Garland's invention of the term in 1220 to the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary. This quiz covers significant milestones, key figures, and influential works in dictionary development, highlighting their impact on the English language.
