Lexikon

See also: lexikon

German

Alternative forms

• Lexicon (archaic)

Etymology

Ultimately from Ancient Greek λεξικόν (lexikón, “dictionary”), from λεξικός (lexikós)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɛksikɔn/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Lexikon n (genitive Lexikons, plural Lexika or Lexiken or Lexikons)

1. reference book; a book, usually alphabetically ordered, in which definitions and facts can be looked up, such as an encyclopaedia, dictionary, etc.

   Synonyms: Nachschlagewerk, schlaues Buch (informal)

Usage notes

• The use of this word for a dictionary specifically, as in ein französisch-deutsches Lexikon (“a French-German dictionary”), is considered dated by some authorities including Duden. However, the inclusion of dictionaries in the broader term Lexikon can hardly be considered dated.

Hyponyms

• Enzyklopädie
• Wörterbuch

Related terms

• Reallexikon
• Sachlexikon
• Sprachlexikon

Further reading

• “Lexikon” in Duden online