lexicon
Meaning
The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.
A dictionary, especially of Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, or Arabic.
Structure
Usage
The technical lexicon of computer science is constantly evolving.
Shakespeare's works greatly expanded the English lexicon.
She consulted a Greek lexicon to translate the ancient manuscript.
Etymology
The word 'lexicon' entered English in the early 17th century, directly from medieval Latin, which itself borrowed from the Greek 'lexikon (biblion)', meaning 'wordbook'. The Greek root 'lexis' (word, speech) is derived from 'legein', meaning 'to speak'. This etymological journey, from the act of speaking to the collection of words, illustrates the logical progression from the concrete action to the abstract, systematic inventory of a language's vocabulary. The suffix '-on' solidifies its status as a noun denoting a specific entity or collection.
Analysis
'lexic' originates from Greek 'lexikos' (of or for words), from 'lexis' (word, speech). 'on' is a noun-forming suffix often used in English to form nouns from Greek roots.